🇪🇸 Juan Mata

[lionsden 4,689]

It is possible to think that he's one of the best players in the league but also a liability in a certain type of team.

Personally I always thought we'd eventually have to choose between Oscar or Mata at some point.

So what you are basically saying is a player that is highly regarded by most people (including neutrals) as one of the finest playmakers in Europe and has consistently performed at elite level for 2 seasons in a row should and does deserve to be relegated to the bench on the basis of "tactical inflexibility".

Since I have been watching football, clubs have always built a team around its best and most influential outfield players and managers devise tactics that suits and gets the best out of them.

And what does that say about mourinho? That he's a manager incapable of changing tactics or playing any other style apart from counter attacking football . if mata can be criticized for lacking tactical flexibility then it should also be fair to label Jose a one trick pony too right?

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

It will be a sad day when/if Mata leaves. Classy player and man. I still have hopes for him to stay.

[The only place to be 11,313]

So what you are basically saying is a player that is highly regarded by most people (including neutrals) as one of the finest playmakers in Europe and has consistently performed at elite level for 2 seasons in a row should and does deserve to be relegated to the bench on the basis of "tactical inflexibility".

What I'm saying is that if you have another option who you think offers more to the team then there's no problem with using him. I know you don't think Oscar is a playmaker but most people (including neutrals) do.

Since I have been watching football, clubs have always built a team around its best and most influential outfield players and managers devise tactics that suits and gets the best out of them.

Managers have also looked to change the way players play the game in order to better serve their philosophy. Our best and most influential player this season has been Oscar as well.

And what does that say about mourinho? That he's a manager incapable of changing tactics or playing any other style apart from counter attacking football . if mata can be criticized for lacking tactical flexibility then it should also be fair to label Jose a one trick pony too right?

Sure you can.

[Tomo 21,751]

Because favoring Oscar over mata is what jose wants and having it the other way round goes against the popular opinion as majority are Jose bootlickers. straight logic there. The people that now see mata as a liability and inferior to oscar where the same people that rated the Spaniard as not only our best player but also a top 3 player in the epl last season. It's no coincidence that their change in opinion coincided with Mou's decision to drop mata in favor of Oscar.

Mou could favor Charlie adam over maradona in his prime and some fans will still find a way to make it sound like it's a reasonable and logical decision.

I remember before we played Barcelona at The Nou Camp under Di Matteo, many people didn't want Mata to start that match for the same reason he (seemingly) lost his place to Oscar this term.

Mata (like every player) has his weaknesses's but because we were so reliant on him (to the point if he didn't turn up we would almost certainly drop points) people were in denial.

[Sheva. 5,373]

I remember before we played Barcelona at The Nou Camp under Di Matteo, many people didn't want Mata to start that match for the same reason he (seemingly) lost his place to Oscar this term.

Mata (like every player) has his weaknesses's but because we were so reliant on him (to the point if he didn't turn up we would almost certainly drop points) people were in denial.

Not many will disagree with that. But his weaknesses aren't so massive that he can't play 1 minute against Basel or West ham. Or comes on as a sub against teams like West brom etc etc.

[Tomo 21,751]

Not many will disagree with that. But his weakness aren't so massive that he can't play 1 minute against Basel or West ham. Or comes on as a sub against teams like West brom etc etc.

West Ham i agree, last night however wasn't the game for him considering we went out for a point. If Basle scored in the first half, then half time would have probably been the best time to haul him on.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

West Ham i agree, last night however wasn't the game for him considering we went out for a point. If Basle scored in the first half, then half time would have probably been the best time to haul him on.

Just stop please. Mata destroyed the same team only this year.

[Tomo 21,751]

Just stop please. Mata destroyed the same team only this year.

Was Willian a selfish bastard again on Tuesday?

[GeeMon 34]

I do miss the little man, but I can't find a place for him in the team. I love the team philosophy of high pressing more than I love seeing Mata out on the pitch.

On the wing he can't compete with Willian, Schurrle or Hazard. Only in a high possession game could I see him be effective.

But if I had the choice of gegenpressing. or possession based football I'd always pick the high pressing option.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

“He’s a very good player and a very good professional. When he is not playing, I’m not happy. It hurts me,” Mourinho said.

“The boy works and behaves. I have nothing negative to stay. If somebody is waiting for me to give a negative reason about him playing more or less, I have nothing negative to say about him.

“It’s just a question of an option. He will play this week. It’s a week for everybody. It will be difficult for somebody to be completely out of it.

“He will have at least a couple of matches.”

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Great for him, November has been an unlucky month for him

[Ollie 4,400]

Absolutely no idea why he didn't play midweek. That was a huge error in the type of game where there was no risk. Oscar, Ramires and Willian did precisely nothing between them and we went the whole game without a shot off or on target. Shocking.

We lost yet we're in a fantastic position. I'll never know or understand Jose's thinking midweek.

[Fernando 6,585]

“He’s a very good player and a very good professional. When he is not playing, I’m not happy. It hurts me,” Mourinho said.

“The boy works and behaves. I have nothing negative to stay. If somebody is waiting for me to give a negative reason about him playing more or less, I have nothing negative to say about him.

“It’s just a question of an option. He will play this week. It’s a week for everybody. It will be difficult for somebody to be completely out of it.

“He will have at least a couple of matches.”

Good then I would like to see a bit of Mata and KDB.

This period of December is the time for someone to make a name for himself.

Hopefully one of these two or both produce good that might change the momentum of their career and the team in general.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

DEALS TO BE CONFIRMED FOR JUAN MATA & ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI!

Deals are in place and to be confirmed for Robert Lewandowski to sign for Chelsea and Juan Mata to leave for the French League but as yet, it's unclear whether or not these deals will happen in January

Do not ask me who my source is as I cannot reveal that information. What I can tell you is that it seems that Juan Mata has had enough, is concerned about his World Cup place and has accepted the fact that despite asking for him to be selected, Jose Mourinho continues to ignore him.

http://www.chelseadaft.org/2013/11/deals-confirmed-for-juan-mata-robert.html

[Tomo 21,751]

I have heard Lionel Messi is fed up off life at Barcelona and is keen to link up with ex team mate Samuel Eto'o at Chelsea.

Don't ask me who my source is because i can't tell you.

[Sheva. 5,373]

“He’s a very good player and a very good professional. When he is not playing, I’m not happy. It hurts me,” Mourinho said.

Funny thing to say when you pick the team

[nyikolajevics 2,700]

Funny thing to say when you pick the team

And when we lost he says that the players are tired..

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

That story might have legs though. Mata nearly signed for PSG on deadline day, they just couldn't agree on the fee or something. Whatever he does next I wish him the best of luck, he deserves better. We've got passengers who have been playing week after week all season and yet someone of Mata's calibre doesn't get a look in.

[Pascal Newton 33]

I can understand Mourinho saying Mata should serve different role than he did in the previous year. Fine. But to not give him enough chances at all, that's just not right. I don't think I'll forgive Mourinho if Mata leaves. In my opinion he was the best #10 in the world last season. He had more assists and goals than Ozil in all competitions. Come on, I know we have a good team, but there's no way any team can't find a place for someone like that. Alright fine if you say I'm going to play Oscar as #10 to make up for the unfortunate fact that we partner Ramires with Lampard (why we don't play Mikel instead is beyond me, quite frankly). But I'm not going to buy that we're unable to accommodate Mata because of the quality of our attacking midfield.

Here's what I believe. If we kept playing Mata on the right wing right and gave him the time to get used to that role, we could have been in a much better position now. For one because Mata is actually a winger - he played for Valencia as a winger, and described himself as a winger several times. He disappointed at times as a winger our 11/12, but that had more to do with the quality of the players alongside him. And this season he hasn't been given enough time at all. For another because the two guys he's been constantly replaced with are new to the club, and have been taking some time to not only get used to the roles, but also the team, club, manager everything. I just don't buy Mourinho's excuses and his actions don't make sense at all.

[DYC. 7,542]

I love Juan.