The Blues will try and sign Benfica’s Matic if the Colombian doesn’t arrive.
Jose Mourinho has targeted central midfield as an area Chelsea need to improve in January, but Benfica’s Nemanja Matic is second choice behind Freddy Guarin of Inter Milan, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
Matic spent two years at Stamford Bridge but never played a game for the club, yet since moving to Portugal as part of the deal that saw David Luiz come to west London the Serbian has become recognised as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe.
However, Mourinho has still prioritised bringing Guarin to the Blues ahead of the 25-year-old, but will face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League rivals Manchester City.
The Portuguese manager is playing a risky game if the 50-year-old is putting Matic on the shelf in the hope that the Inter midfield ace will choose to come to the English capital.
The Colombia international has been impressive in Serie A as the Milan club have put a disappointing 2012/13 campaign behind them to look like a top side again.
In 18 matches in all competitions Guarin has three goals and 10 assists and operates as a box-to-box midfielder – an admired talent in the modern game.
With Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel looking poor this season and Frank Lampard approaching the end of the 35-year-old’s career, Mourinho is desperate for midfield support.
However, with Matic being more defensively minded the Serbia international would perhaps be the better choice ahead of Guarin in any case.
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