Chelsea will not be derailed, Mata insists

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Juan Mata insists Chelsea’s bid for Europa League success will not derail their challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The Blues are fighting on two fronts in the final few weeks of an exhausting campaign, as they look to reach another European final and ensure Champions League football for next season.

But although the workload is forcing interim boss Rafael Benitez to rotate his squad, Mata believes Chelsea are still able to achieve both targets.

He said: “For me, the aim is winning the Europa League and being in the Champions League next season.

“We have four games to go [in the Premier League], including Manchester United and Tottenham, but playing the way we’ve been playing, I think we can do both.

“Chelsea is a club that deserves to be in the Champions League every season.”

Mata is already casting his eyes towards a title challenge next season as he bids to complete a personal quadruple at Chelsea.

The Spanish playmaker lifted the Champions League and FA Cup in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, and will hope to add the Europa League to his haul later this month.

But the 25-year-old, who has also won the World Cup and European Championships with Spain, is missing a league winners’ medal from his collection – and plans to rectify that next season.

He said: “After winning the Champions League and the FA Cup, I would like to win the Premier League.

“It is such a special competition. Chelsea have won it a few times, so why not? We certainly have the players in the squad.”

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