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Ray Wilkins 'cannot see' why Chelsea agreed to sell Nemanja Matic to a big rival
The Serbian star joined Jose Mourinho at Manchester United in a £40m deal
Former coach Wilkins says it's the 'worst' decision he has seen Chelsea make

Published: 08:37 EDT, 5 September 2017 | Updated: 11:16 EDT, 5 September 2017

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Former player and assistant coach Ray Wilkins has labelled Chelsea's decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United as the 'worst' he has ever seen the club make.

The Serbian reunited with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in a surprise summer transfer worth £40million.

And Wilkins, who has enjoyed two stints as an assistant at Stamford Bridge, says he still cannot understand why the Premier League champions allowed one of their biggest assets to join a main title rival.

Ray Wikins is baffled by Chelsea's decision to sell Nemanja Matic to rivals Manchester United

‘It’s the worst I’ve ever seen, if I can say,’ Wilkins said on Sky Sports.

‘I cannot see that for the life of me.

‘You’ve got a guy here who was so paramount to Chelsea along with [N’Golo] Kante in the middle of the pitch, winning the championship with Chelsea the year before and all of a sudden you’ve sold him to one of or the biggest rival we have.

‘I say we because I am a Chelsea supporter so I’m speaking from the heart when I speak.’

The Serbian midfielder has hit the ground running under Jose Mourinho this season

Matic's move to Manchester United was made all the worse for Chelsea fans as the midfielder put in a man of the match display against West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season.

He has since completed 90 minutes in their other two Premier League games, helping them to three wins and three clean sheets and making Mourinho's side the early favourites to win the league.

His departure from Stamford Bridge could have been far worse if the club had not sealed a deadline day move for Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater.

Antonio Conte was desperately short of options in midfield and the club left it to the last minute before finally agreeing a £35million deal for the England international.

They also agreed a £40m deal for Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko, who is considered a more direct replacement for Matic.