Ex-Chelsea midfielder Deco baffled by Jose Mourinho's decision to sell Juan Mata

Former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Deco has admitted that he doesn't understand why Jose Mourinho sold Juan Mata to Manchester United in January.

The Spaniard, who had a regular role on the substitutes' bench at Stamford Bridge under Mourinho, moved to Old Trafford for a club-record £37m.

With the Blues needing to score in Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, Deco believes that Mata would have been a good option.

"I don't know why Jose sold Mata in January because he is a good player," Deco told The Express. "Maybe now he could be important for Chelsea. I am sure Jose knows what he is doing, but Mata seemed to have started well for Chelsea."

The semi-final is currently all square between Chelsea and Atletico following last week's goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon.