Chelsea have done well in the transfer market but not that well in terms of negotiating contracts. 77 is a lot first-up. Chelsea have let quite a few backup players get away with high wages - Cahill, Demba Ba, I think wages should always start low and then increase depending on the players' value to the team, his overall output etc. Mata is not the only example of a player on a lower wage here. Oscar, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Ivanovic etc are other examples of good players on lower wages. his wages should have been closer to the 50k mark imo but nonetheless, I'm glad he has signed