🇪🇸 Juan Mata

[remains of the day 564]

I think the point is whether or not Mata's inclusion in the team makes us a better or worse team. What I personally like about Oscar is that he knits the team together well, linking defence and attack and also contributing at both ends too. When Mata was in the team at points last season, the gap between the midfield and the attack seemed massive at times and it also seemed to grow when we played Newcastle this season.

Perhaps and you could be right but I question if this isn't something that's more a matter of your own individual preference than anything factual. An argument can be made that Oscar contributes more noticeably in defence than he does in attack. He's fantastic in tracking back and helping Lamps and Ramires to win and retain possession but he has certain glaring weaknesses that a lot of times stifles our attack. His touch is hit or miss and this becomes particularly noticeable when playing good teams that pressure high up the pitch. Against spurs Oscar was virtually anonymous offensively. He also doesn't pick his head up enough and because of that he frequently misses teammates in good positions. Also, his passing can actually be quite sloppy in the final third. I don't want to be harsh on him because he's still developing and these are all things that he can improve on, but my point is that this notion that Oscar is the type of player you build a title challenging side around simply because he's better at tracking back than Mata is inherently flawed.

On a side note - in light of this modern day expectation that offensive players need to be just as good off & on the ball, I think more discussion needs to be had on whether tracking back has become the new bench stick to judge the quality of performances. There have been games where Schurrle has contributed basically nothing in attack but because he runs around, tracking back, people will comment that he had a fantastic game. Is this now what we're using to judge our AMs on their performances? Sometimes I wonder if Oscar's ability off the ball is more of a curse than a gift. I've been watching him in the NT for a while now and it doesn't seem like he's made any improvements attacking wise. While Neymar is going from strength to strength, Oscar's contribution in attack is stagnating little by little and it seems like he's beginning to draw criticisms from some pockets of Brazilian pundits. Is Oscar's ability to help out in defence and Mourinho's insistence that he does, resulting in his offensive game being underdeveloped?

A long winded post, I know. Anyway we can certainly appreciate the good qualities that Oscar brings without being dismissive towards that of Mata's.

Yes he was fantastic over the past couple of years and had great stats, but did the freedom afforded him to amass those goals and assists actually make us weaker as a team?

It's a good point. But I think this argument assumes that Oscar or any other good attacking midfielder would naturally be able to replicate Mata's stats in the last two season if they were afforded the same amount of freedom and role. That's something I very much doubt.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I don't get Mourinho, he finally played Mikel - Ramires in the pivot but went for Lampard, the 35 yo, in the attacking midfield instead. Juan must be really pissed off.

[The_Flash 1,144]

I was disappointed Juan didn't get on, what is it Jose dislikes about him, he has gone from player of the year, to bench warmer of the year and it's sad I like him, good player. I don't quite get it?

[Henrique 9,133]

Anyone still doubt Mata has no future at this club as long as Mourinho is the head coach?

[DDA 9,938]

Mata is finished as a Chelsea player. Such a shame because he has been world class for us and behaves in a dignified manner when representing Chelsea in the public eye. A model for young fans and players alike. I can't pretend to be forgiving of the way Jose is treating Juan but if his plans do not include Mata then so be it. I would rather see Jose impliment his ideals and philosophies with the players he choses rather than try to work with players he doesn't feel are right for the future of the club. I begrudgingly say, sell for the maximum price we can push for!

[DoubleO 192]

Feel so sorry for him.... Such a nice person! He still loves Chelsea and if José wants, he can fix this situation. If not, I guess we must sell him.

[Jase 43,479]

Anyone still doubt Mata has no future at this club as long as Mourinho is the head coach?

I know Mata's future may be looking bleak and doesn't look promising here but , must there always be a reaction like this just because he didn't play 1 game immediately after an INT break and we won comfortably? There are 10 games to be played over the next month before 2014 comes about. Let's see how he is used, how much game time he gets and his performances then before we jump the gun, like completely.

[Jase 43,479]

Juventus and Atletico Madrid prepare loan moves for Chelsea's Juan Mata as playmaker fears for World Cup chances

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Juventus and Atletico Madrid prepare loan moves for Chelsea's Juan Mata as playmaker fears for World Cup chances

Most ridiculous thing i've heard all season. Rumours about other clubs placing a bid is one thing but loan deal for a first team player is unheard of.

[bushman 2,043]

Nothing is ridiculous about those rumors, at all.

Mata fears for his chances in Brazil, justifiably.

He ought to contact Jose & ask him about his future at Chelsea. Hopefully, Jose tells him the fucking truth, then.

Mata does not deserve this jerking around, at all. Mata has been the best player for two years running. If Jose wants him to become a defensive player, Mata ain´t it. Therefore, Mata ought to say bye-bye Chelsea, it was a slice, kiss my butt, I am gone.

[yuvala 2,167]

Juventus and Atletico Madrid prepare loan moves for Chelsea's Juan Mata as playmaker fears for World Cup chances

haha !

Loan move for such a player? and to Atletico Madrid? Maybe selling to Juve would have made sense, but loan? cmon..

[kellzfresh 7,229]

On a side note, GUESS WHAT!

We dont hoof the ball as much this season as last season. I swear last season, Cech must of hoofed the ball up 30x a game.

I swear i felt like chocking cech last season. For some bizarre reason, he thought mata was drogba.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

ChelsTransferGossip ‏@ChelsTransfernow

Reports in France suggest #PSG will increase their offer to €48m for Mata. Mourinho is not against the idea if #CFC use the funds for Falcao

ChelsTransferGossip ‏@ChelsTransfernow

Pastore will leave #PSG with #ASRoma interested, should Chelsea decide to sell Mata, but a summer move appears more likely #CFC (le10Sport)

The news papers just put two and two together.

They think chelsea want falcao, and they know psg want mata. And they have thought of the fact that PSG will be more than happy to provide us with funds to weaken their main rivals and take falcao from monaco.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

The news papers just put two and two together.

They think chelsea want falcao, and they know psg want mata. And they have thought of the fact that PSG will be more than happy to provide us with funds to weaken their main rivals and take falcao from monaco.

Win win for PSG if it goes through.

Would be ironic we Falcao sinks PSG in th CL wearing our blue. :blue scalf:

[bushman 2,043]

The way I see it.

Chelsea are willing to sell Mata to finance, use the money to bring Lewandowski, Falcao to Stamford Bridge. It´s sad, but that´s the way I see it.

Even BA might be sold, I feel. Money used to finance others.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Win win for PSG if it goes through.

Would be ironic we Falcao sinks PSG in th CL wearing our blue. :blue scalf:

Wouldnt want us facing the wrath of ibrahimovic though but if we have falcao, then bring it on

[bushman 2,043]

Wouldnt want us facing the wrath of ibrahimovic though but if we have falcao, then bring it on

Personally, I would not worry much about Ibra. He certainly is a prolific goal scorer though.

PSG is winning, but are they really tested in France ? I do not think so. Let´s see, what they are gonna do in CL, soon.

[Term-X 7,891]

The need for a loan so he can get into the spanish squad is hilarious journalism. Even when Mata was the 'star of the show' for us he still couldn't get into the spanish side.

[bushman 2,043]

You have to realize that Lewandowski already is Bayern Munich player.

Well, some say he is, others say he isn´t. Take your pick.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

A loan wouldn't surprise me one bit.