Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says the board was "brave" to re-sign Nemanja Matic from Benfica. Mourinho insisted he would "never" have allowed the Serb to leave Stamford Bridge but understands how it happened and applauded the board for showing the courage to sign him again for £22million, three years after he joined Benfica as a makeweight in a deal to sign David Luiz.

"Chelsea were brave by bringing him back," said Mourinho. "If in this world you want to do the best for your club you don't protect yourself from possible critics. You simply do what you think is the best.

"We wanted a midfield player and we had on the table three or four but the best one he was a former Chelsea player. I don't say a player they lost but they were brave to say we are sure this is the right one, we are sure he is the best one, we are sure he is going to be a success here.

"Probably the next time Chelsea does a deal with a young player they will keep control. At these ages, the evolution of players can be good or bad. You can loan or even sell a player but you have ways of being in control of his future.

"Another aspect is the fact that Chelsea had so many managers in these years. It is difficult for the business people on the board. For one manager, Matic is the right profile of player, another one thinks Matic can go because I don't like him. This guy I like because he is fast, this guy I don't like because he is small.

"With a philosophy on the table, it is much easier for our board. If I was here, a left-footed player, 1.95 metres tall, would never, never, never leave. Never."