Confederation Cup Duo David and Luiz Meet Mourinho.

Chelsea’s David Luis and Juan Mata trained with new manager Jose Mourinho for the first time on Monday as they hope to discover their fate within days.

David Luis Returns to Cobharms Training Ground.
David Luis Returns to Cobharms Training Ground.

The pair, who were at the centre-stage of a player-plus-cash deal rumour intended to lure Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to Stamford Bridge, missed the club’s tour of Asia because they were allowed an extended summer holiday, after the Confederations Cup.

Luis is also a £40m-plus target for Bayern Munich but Mourinho has denied he will allow the Brazilian to leave the Blues.

When asked about Luiz, Mourinho said: “The potential is incredible, amazing. He always has to play. For me he is a central defender.”

Jose Mourinho During Monday's Training Session.
Jose Mourinho During Monday’s Training Session.

But the rumours refuse to vanish where Luiz is concerned.

On Sunday, the Catalan newspaper Sport reported that Barcelona are ready to move for Luiz, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for £25m in January 2011.

Several European clubs are searching for a centre-back that is confident on the ball like Luiz. But selling the Brazilian will open up the problem of replacing him and with Porto asking for £35m for Mourinho’s target, Frenchman Eliaquim Mangala, one can only doubt if the player will leave this summer.

Mourinho spoke to the absent six on phone when he started the job, but did not make a special effort to contact Luiz or Mata when their names appeared in connection with a possible part-exchange deal for Rooney.

The Portuguese manager will have to address Luiz’s transfer speculation when he meets with his whole squad for the first time since his return.