Mourinho Wants Catalan Star at Chelsea Next Season - Report

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants Oriol Romeu back next season after a season loan in Valencia, reports in Spain claim.

Romeu joined Chelsea from Barcelona in August 2011, signing a four-year-contract but last summer Mourinho send him on loan to the Spanish side as Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien were ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, Romeu's latest performances at Valencia have caught the eye of the Chelsea boss and according to Spanish Newspaper Superdeporte he is keen to have the Catalan youngster back in the squad next season.

Reports claims that Mourinho is monitoring Romeu through his Spanish scouts, and the Portuguese boss has received very good information about his most recent games at Valencia.

Romeu talked about Mourinho's interest during an interview with Spanish TV station Levante:

"If [the talk of a possible return] is true it is really good, I hope so. It is good that they are interested in me" Romeu said.

"I know that they are following me and they are happy with my recent performances. They have congratulated me but I have not spoken directly to Mourinho.

"Chelsea scouters told me recent that there are not many players in my position and that if I have a good season they will want me back next year."

The Chelsea loanee struggled at the start of the campaign in Valencia to even secure a place in the line-up but since Manager Miroslav Djukic gave him the chance to play against Swansea in the Europe League - the team have improved a lot and Spanish pundits believe he is key to that.

Valencia want to keep him in the squad next season and the player does not wish to close the door on a permanent move to La Liga.

"I came to Valencia because I liked it a lot, and if I cannot get the chance to play in the Premier League I may decide to stay, as I decided to come to Valencia last summer for the same reason".

The 21-year-old midfielder had two difficult seasons at Stamford Bridge before moving to Valencia. In his debut campaign he was an important player for Andre Villas-Boas but he struggled to establish himself as a regular under Roberto Di Matteo. Furthermore, last season he suffered a long-term knee injury that ruled him out for the whole year.