Chelsea have re-signed their former player, Nemanja Matic from Benfica, for a reported fee of €25m yesterday.

The 26-year-old has signed a five-and-half-year contract at the Blues and will wear the no. 21 jersey at the club.

Matic, who left Chelsea in 2011, in a cash plus part exchange deal that saw Brazilian David Luiz coming to Stamford Bridge, has established himself as one of the finest defensive central midfielder around in Europe at the moment, during his three-years’ stay at Portugal under Jorge Jesus.

Central midfield is one of the areas Chelsea needed an investment. Frank Lampard is approaching the end of his career, Michael Essien is largely a fading figure now, while youngster Van Ginkel and Oriol Romeu are still not first team material, hence, Jose Mourinho opted for an experienced and quality central midfielder.

Many have criticized the deal here, as Chelsea have paid a large sum of money for a player whom they sold once for cheap, while few have compared him to legendary German midfielder Michael Ballack.

Its all confirmed, nemanja matic is a done deal, have Chelsea just purchased their new Michael ballack

— Tayek Moreira Miah (@TayekMiah) January 13, 2014

We’ve finally replaced Ballack in Matic. That’s how much of a big signing he is.

— John (@TheChelseaTalk) January 15, 2014

Have Chelsea finally replaced the massive Ballack-shaped hole left in midfield That’s how big a signing Matic could be #CFC

— Majdie Hajjar (@MajdieHajjar) January 15, 2014

Chelsea sold Matic cheap and rebought him expensive. They’re like the reverse Sabatini.

— Julian of Martinis (@JulianDM11) January 15, 2014

€25m for Matic it’s a bargain. CFC a huge step closer to win the title if he manage to adapt to the league and play like he did at Benfica.

— Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) January 15, 2014

Matic – “I had other offers but Mourinho is Mourinho” #CFC

— TweetChelseaFC (@TweetChelseaFC) January 15, 2014

People expect Matic to start v Man United I think he won’t it’s going to be too early for him imo but just like always I’d trust Jose

— Dr. Rashmit Mishra (@Rashthedoctor) January 16, 2014

Share your reactions too about Matic… Is he the next Michael Ballack for Chelsea Will he start against Manchester United