The midfielder was a driving force for Chelsea as they won two Premier League titles is three seasons, which is why his £40m move to Manchester United last month was all the more baffling.
Chelsea sanctioned the deal which allowed one of their top players to join a Premier League rival, and Swansea manager boss Paul Clement, who worked with Matic at Stamford Bridge until 2011, expressed his surprise.
'I was surprised Chelsea let him go, I don't know how that deal managed to happen', Clement said ahead of United's visit to the Liberty Stadium. 'It's not too good for Chelsea and Antonio Conte has made it clear he did not want that to happen. It is a win for United'.
The Swans manager also heaped praise on the towering midfielder: 'He is good positionally, he has good physical stature, he is strong in the challenge and good in the air', he added. 'He has also a nice left foot and is an under-rated passer and is very focused on his football'.