Jose Mourinho maintains there is "no chance" Juan Mata will be sold and the Chelsea boss has explained his decision to bench the Spaniard.
Speculation regarding the playmaker's future has intensified after he was left out of the Blues' starting XI for a 0-0 draw at Manchester United on Monday.
The news that Chelsea are now in 'advanced talks' with Porto winger Christian Atsu is also likely to fan the transfer flames further, rather than put them out.
Chelsea are already well-stocked for creative talent, so the arrival of another forward-thinking player would suggest that sales are imminent.
Manchester United have been strongly linked with Mata, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted a liking for the World Cup winner on Tuesday.
Mourinho, though, intends to leave his Premier League rivals empty-handed, with Mata still very much part of his plans.
The Portuguese tactician claims too much is being made of the 25-year-old's absence against United, with his withdrawal from the first team purely down to a lack of pre-season minutes.
Mourinho said in The Sun: "There is no chance Juan goes.
"He had a very small pre-season after the Confederations Cup. And during that pre-season he was injured.
"He started training two days before we played the first league match.
"He played against Aston Villa and I decided to put him on the bench against United."
