Matic denies rift with Mourinho

Nemanja Matic has told Serbian television there is no truth in reports he had a bad relationship with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Serbia international Matic was taken off by Mourinho 27 minutes after being brought on as a half-time substitute during the Blues’ home defeat by Southampton in October.

And he was one of several Chelsea players believed to have fallen out with Mourinho prior to the Portuguese’s recent sacking.

But Matic said: “I’ve worked with Mourinho two beautiful years, so for me he is always linked with the good memories.

“I think I have read several times that I had a bad relationship with him, but it is likely to have been written by some idiots.

“I talked to Mourinho about these allegations and we just laughed.”