Juan Mata

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Let's not also forget that a player, especially a playmaker, is only as good as his team. Yes silva is an inteligent world-class player, but he is able to make the passes that prove he is so because his teammates offer great movement and runs off the ball. Mata isn't as lucky.

[francozola 2,040]

Agreed. Even one creative midfielder would make such a difference. Someone who he could play off, who was on the same wavelength as him etc. Instead he has to deal with the likes of Kalou and co. Our midfielders and strikers aren't able to "support" him at all.

[Melanicus 5,208]

As for the Valencia players... Piatti has huge potential in front of him.

[Badboy 1,526]

He's played wayyy too much this season, he'll be too knackered to go to the Euro's.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Even he would be in squad, he wont play much I guess. Unles he will replace Villa , it could be possible. Yes he will be tired and maybe spain wont count on him much. But this would be great oportunity for him to actualy get in 1st eleven and become regular. In spain that is hell of achievement.

Good luck Mata.

Btw I really hope he wont play much against spurs, I wan him ready for barca clash.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

David Silva is still the better overall player right now, but look at how disastrous his form has been these last 4 months or so. Terrible. And our tired Juan still manages to churn out decent to good performances and contribute in either goals/assists.

That's because he too has Ashley Cole syndrome - Mancini's overplayed him a lot in the last 2 seasons, so it does make sense he'll be on bad form in these closing stages. My worry is Mata's going down a similar road, he's been very muted in the last few weeks. Factoring in the opposition, obvious, tactics of out marking him plus the general fatigue he's picked up does make sense.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

If we had At least Josh or KDB here to decently replace Mata. Meireles or Lampard obviously cant...I'm sure he cant play against Barca two times, spurs and arsenal. Just cant. He is our playmaker, winger and striker...

[capriccioso 2,545]

He needs to work on his stamina a bit. One could argue that United relied on Ronaldo nearly as much but he didn't run out of steam 3/4 of the way into the season. Other than that he's had a pretty good first year.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I think when Mata will be playing in pl 3 seasons like ronaldo, he wont have much problem with stamina. but overall i think they run even more in spain, but also rest while passing. here at chelsea mata runs a lot, but cant realy rest since there is noone equal to pass with.

[Term-X 7,891]

PFA Player of the year 2011/12 nominees:

Aguero, Parker, Van Persie, Silva, Rooney, Hart

Parker nominated over Mata...

[Jase 43,479]

Parker nominated over Mata?....

Absolute farcical IMO.

[Amblève. 4,995]

WTF?! What did they smoke?!

[Rambo 1,729]

If Mata was english he would've made the list

[Jase 43,479]

If Mata was english he would've made the list

If he was a United player, he would be in there.

[zolayes 14,489]

Parker nominated over Mata...

OF course ...don't you realise Parker is the New Stevie G

[Rambo 1,729]

Statistically speaking Mata is even better than Silva..

[Milan 17,862]

Apart from the quarter final v Leicester, Juan scored in every single round of the FA Cup. Here's hoping he will keep on this stats in May!

[Igi26 346]

Also, he could be nomminated for Young Player but didn't. Guess who is in?

The Ox?

Disgrace