Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata says former Real Madrid will always be special to him.

Mata was raised at Real Madrid's academy before establishing himself at Valencia, and was coy on the subject of a possible return to the Bernabeu in the future.

Asked if a return to the Spanish giants was a challenge he had set himself, he said: "I only have good words for Real Madrid. I was there for four years and they brought me up, both as a player and a person.

"I have many friends there and I'm very grateful to the club. But I've spent two great years in London and the only thing I'm thinking about now is continuing to enjoy this league and this city that I love."