Juan Mata

[Cech's helmet 220]

He was one of the top 3 players in the league with us... his career is turning into a disaster.

[zolayes 14,489]

reckon he will be out of manure in summer... could still find a PL club but more likely back to Spain

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

wouldn't be a bad shout to bring him back here tbh, Cesc and Mata together would be amazing. Plus, workrate can be taught if we just need him to track back some, because if we were to take him unfortunately I think it would be at the expense of Oscar. Though I don't know if it would be worth the price...

Not gonna happen, anyway.

[gary gordon 1,777]

Give em 5 mil for him.

[Tomo 21,733]

I still remember how he arrived, the man from Valencia who could cross, and I still remember when he was tearing the league apart. He was our first signing towards the right direction, at a time when the squad was at its most stagnant and lacklustre, he was the spark of light we so desperately needed. He was so important to us and so head and shoulders above the rest, that all of our attacks went through him. No matter what, Juan had to play, or we were not the same..

Could that explain why so many were so defensive towards him when Jose started to drop him? The fact he was practically carrying us domestically in his first season and was that little sprinkle of flair in the side after a year (Carlos second season) off stale dross performances?

If (for argument sake) he came into a Chelsea squad already doing well with the likes of Hazard already here, would he have built up such a fanclub?

[Tomo 21,733]

wouldn't be a bad shout to bring him back here tbh.

Would be a waste of resources that would be better spent getting a centre back in and if we can Pogba in.

Mata needs the team built around him to reach his full performance, and with Cesc and Hazard that ain't happening.

Further more Cesc and Mata on the same team won't work, we saw how the likes of Swansea and Liverpool targeted Cescs defensive game and got quite a lot of joy, imagine Mata infront of him, they would overload our midfield and dance around us.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Would be a waste of resources that would be better spent getting a centre back in and if we can Pogba in.

Mata needs the team built around him to reach his full performance, and with Cesc and Hazard that ain't happening.

Further more Cesc and Mata on the same team won't work, we saw how the likes of Swansea and Liverpool targeted Cescs defensive game and got quite a lot of joy, imagine Mata infront of him, they would overload our midfield and dance around us.

Well, yeah. It could give us a creative alternative when Cesc is injured though. Theoretically if Oscar buffed up a bit he could go into the CM with Mata in the 10, or a Ake/Mikel-Matic double pivot behind him. Oscar already defends like one, but this could cause a big problem with him going missing in games at times, considering the amount of running he would be doing would double I imagine.

Is Pogba creative? I haven't seen him play much, this is a genuine question, because in this aspect we are so reliant on Fabregas and to a certain extent Hazard it's unreal.

[Pizy 18,368]

It would make no sense and it's totally illogical to bring him back but I totally would. I still love him.

[LondonsFinest 692]

Atleti have always been his fans. Expecting him to go there for 15-20-25 million, depending on who they part with(if any). Him, Griezmann, Arda, Koke, pretty nice midfield.

[Thendo 1,088]

Maybe he should go back to Valencia, they've got a wealthy owner now so im sure they could afford him.

[Mustafa 885]

I'll never forget what he did that season. 19 goals 35 assists! Jaw dropping brilliance.

Not to mention the connection between him & Hazard. They were fantastic together. I'd love to one day see them play together again.

I particularly remember the Chelsea vs West Ham game that season when Lampard scored his 200th goal. The orgasmic interplay between Mata and Hazard was beyond beautiful. Ill never forget Juan's time at Chelsea. Wonderful player, wonderful guy.

[LAB 1,030]

Golden deal and all but... still heartbroken about this guy.

[mufilika 101]

I always thought he'll end up in Tottenham.

Wow, How can you wish that anyone, you have no heart dude

[Thor 2,392]

Good player for a mid table club, but really isn't cut out for bigger clubs.

He had his moment here, but it was when we were in our lowest period in the last decade and more, and despite that we won the CL during that time. For being our best player during that time, he didn't have much to do with it, and was hardly influential in the big games.

He needs the ball too much, and to have the offense run through him too much to be the top player at the top clubs. Simply because he will never be close to the most talented at the bigger clubs, so it makes no sense to have the offense go through him, when you can have it go through Hazard, or Rooney, or Di Maria, or Messi, or Neymar, etc...

I wouldn't mind him back here as a bench player. For someone his size, he lacks pace, and his first touch is below average, with him at times being unable to track his touch due to a more physical and quicker player pushing him off. So yeah, bench player at best.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Good player for a mid table club, but really isn't cut out for bigger clubs.

He had his moment here, but it was when we were in our lowest period in the last decade and more, and despite that we won the CL during that time. For being our best player during that time, he didn't have much to do with it, and was hardly influential in the big games.

He needs the ball too much, and to have the offense run through him too much to be the top player at the top clubs. Simply because he will never be close to the most talented at the bigger clubs, so it makes no sense to have the offense go through him, when you can have it go through Hazard, or Rooney, or Di Maria, or Messi, or Neymar, etc...

I wouldn't mind him back here as a bench player. For someone his size, he lacks pace, and his first touch is below average, with him at times being unable to track his touch due to a more physical and quicker player pushing him off. So yeah, bench player at best.

The bold part is not true

[lionsden 4,689]

Good player for a mid table club, but really isn't cut out for bigger clubs.

He had his moment here, but it was when we were in our lowest period in the last decade and more, and despite that we won the CL during that time. For being our best player during that time, he didn't have much to do with it, and was hardly influential in the big games.

He needs the ball too much, and to have the offense run through him too much to be the top player at the top clubs. Simply because he will never be close to the most talented at the bigger clubs, so it makes no sense to have the offense go through him, when you can have it go through Hazard, or Rooney, or Di Maria, or Messi, or Neymar, etc...

I wouldn't mind him back here as a bench player. For someone his size, he lacks pace, and his first touch is below average, with him at times being unable to track his touch due to a more physical and quicker player pushing him off. So yeah, bench player at best.

The whole post is summed up by that gif but the bit in bold is beyond shocking.

What an off the mark and totally disrespectful post. This was the same player that was widely regarded throughout Europe as arguably the best players in the league in 12/13 and one of the best AM in Europe. I guess we were a midtable club in 2013 when we finished 3rd with Mata being our best player.

It's a shame he left us to join another English club but to belittle him and attempt to discredit his achievement at the club is quite pathetic and small time.

[manpe 10,861]

What an off the mark and totally disrespectful post. This was the same player that was widely regarded throughout Europe as arguably the best players in the league in 12/13 and one of the best AM in Europe. I guess we were a midtable club in 2013 when we finished 3rd with Mata being our best player.

It's a shame what has happened to him since he left the club but to belittle him and discredit his achievement at the club is quite pathetic and small time.

Not to mention that his first touch was one of his most lauded skills.

[lionsden 4,689]

Not to mention that his first touch was one of his most lauded skills.

That's what made the already poor post really shocking. It's like saying Hazard is a poor/below average dribbler