Chelsea made huge mistake selling Nemanja Matic to Man Utd, according to Phil NevilleRex Features
Chelsea come up against Manchester United and in-form Matic on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
The former United man insists the Premier League champions are suffering because the failed to replace to Serbian who was sold to United in the summer.
Matic was key to Chelsea’s Premier League title win last season, and has proved to be a vital cog in Jose Mourinho’s engine room, but was nevertheless allowed to leave by manager Antonio Conte.
Whoever allowed Nemanja Matic to be sold should be sacked, say Phil NevillePA:Press AssociationN’Golo Kante has returned to training but was not risked against RomaRex FeaturesPhil Neville insists Tiemoue Bakayoko is not direct replacement for MaticAP:Associated PressAnotnio Conte watches on as Chelsea re beaten by RomaAFP or licensors
Latest Chelsea news
Roma 3 Chelsea 0
Conte humiliated on return to Italy as woeful Blues are taught a lesson
CON FEAR
Antonio Conte admits he's 'worried' after shambolic Chelsea defeat to Roma
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
United's midfield crisis deepens as they prepare to take on Chelsea
euro woe
Chelsea risk Barcelona or PSG clash in Champions League last 16 after Roma loss
LONDON CALLING
Arsenal and Chelsea to battle it out for RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi
'the worst'
Steven Gerrard savages Chelsea after Roma defeat and questions Antonio Conte
Neville told Radio Five Live: “What’s gone wrong for Chelsea? One word, Matic. It’s as simple as that.
“The minute they sold Nemanja Matic was a mistake.
“When you had Matic sat in front of you, alongside Kante, there was protection.
Whoever made that decision needs sacking, that is one of the poorest decisions I have ever seen in the Premier League.
“If you ask any of those Chelsea players who they would want back, they would say Matic.
“Chelsea replaced him with someone who is going to do the same job – Bakayoko is not that player, he is not a holding midfield player.
Matic was instrumental in Chelsea winning Premier League last seasonPA:Press AssociationChelsea Technical Director Michael Emenalo is part of recruitment team at clubGetty - Contributor
“They didn’t replace Matic, I wouldn’t have let him out of the building, I would have chained him to the training ground walls.”
Replacement Tiemoue Bakayoko lined up alongside Cesc Fabregas in Rome, where the Serie A side ran out 3-0 winners.
Most read in Football
STUCK ON NU
Everton approach Wolves for boss Nuno to replace sacked Ronald Koeman
all in?
Sam Allardyce wants bumper pay deal plus a survival bonus to become Everton boss
'HE WAS SERIOUS'
Jenna Jameson feared WWE icon The Undertaker was going to 'kidnap' her
MIA FEAR
PornHub beauty Mia Khalifa shut down by NFL star she tried to woo
'HEAD NOT RIGHT'
Mauricio Pochettino reveals his issues with Man United outcast Luke Shaw
TRUMP CARD
Tyson Fury asks DONALD TRUMP to walk him out for Anthony Joshua fight
Leave a comment