Matic:
[article=http://sulia.com/channel/soccer/f/5bfd4e93-238d-4d0b-af95-110278c747c7/?source=twitter&repost=120]In an interview with Portuguese daily A Bola, Nemanja Matic discusses his decision to leave Benfica for Chelsea.
A Bola: Can you guarantee that the game against Porto was your last in the service of Benfica?
Matic: "Yes, it was my last game. I want to thank all the people at the club and all the supporters. Benfica will forever be in my heart. I played here two and a half years, I gave my best in every training session, every game, and now is the right time to leave. I want to improve, I want to go to a better league and I want to go to Chelsea, the club which I also love. I also thank the president of Benfica, who did everything he could to keep me here but I have wanted to leave and I insisted on leaving. I respect the effort made to keep me at the club, he and all the people of Benfica were very good to me, they made me happy, but I repeat that I insisted on going because I understood that the moment is right."
How is your relationship with Benfica's president Luis Filipe Vieira?
“We have a perfect relationship because he is a good man and a good president, very fond of club. He really tried everything to keep me, but my decision was made. I leave with Benfica in my heart.
Do you think the fans will understand your decision?
NM: “I hope so, sincerely. I have always given my best for the team, the club and the supporters. I hope they recognize that and understand my position and my desire.
It is true that on the eve of the Porto game you did not prepare with the team as a way of exerting pressure?
NM: “No. The only truth in this story is that I went to the concentration a few hours late, I was authorized by the club to deal with personal problems and after that I went quickly to Seixal.
“I wanted to go to Chelsea, even if Benfica had better options. I was very young when I was at Chelsea and I didn't show all I could. Now I want to show that I have quality to play there. It's a top club and I want to work with one of the best managers in the world.
“When I first went to Chelsea I was very young and there were great players in my position. I really had few chances to play back then. Now it's different: I'm 25, I'm not the same player who left Chelsea. I'm sure [Abramovich] knows that. Now I have the chance to go back and work with one of the best manager in the world.”[/article]