Juan Mata

[Jase 43,479]

Thought he did alright. The combination of him with Hazard and Oscar was good to watch. Can only improve with time. However, thanks to our self implosion in that first half, we had to play him far longer than perhaps originally planned!

[TrippingStep 336]

He had a good match except a 10 minute patch where he lost quite a few balls.

I like his partnership with Hazard in midfield in spanish fashion

[Naked Mole Rat 437]

He had a good match except a 10 minute patch where he lost quite a few balls.

I like his partnership with Hazard in midfield in spanish fashion

Same here. I love how the two of them are already looking like they've been playing with one another for quite some time.

[didierforever 7,349]

he was really good and hazard is benefitting a lot as mata pulls off defenders with him. it will be interesting to watch the opposite happen after say 5-10 matches when hazard would seem to be the no.1.

[TrippingStep 336]

he was really good and hazard is benefitting a lot as mata pulls off defenders with him. it will be interesting to watch the opposite happen after say 5-10 matches when hazard would seem to be the no.1.

That's what great in that partnership. A team can't both nullified them by putting bodies on them.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

A rest will probably do him a lot of good. I think 2 weeks may not be enough. Should get at least 3 weeks where he is free to do whatever he wants. Go lay on a beach and have fun. Although I think with the likes of Hazard, Marin, Oscar etc Mata's influence will decrease. Doesn't mean he is any worse a player. In fact he will continue to improve.

[didierforever 7,349]

That's what great in that partnership. A team can't both nullified them by putting bodies on them.

precisely. but the focus is going to shift towards hazard in some time so it will be interesting to see if he can play the 2nd fiddle as mata is doing right now. but really positivge signs from hazard, could have gone for the goal but instead passed to iva , shows real character. hope he stays the same way.

[Jase 43,479]

At least Mata this season won't have to carry all the creative burden by himself with Hazard, Oscar and even Marin being around. Those players will also offer plenty of movement and create spaces for Mata to work with too and likewise too.

[Joe Ay 66]

Played ok in patches, but his shooting was pretty woeful. Agree that he could use a break to re-charge but don't think oscar is quite ready to take his place yet.

[Jase 43,479]

EDIT: Not sure why it ended up with the just link there rather the whole video content.

[Milan 17,956]

I love the way Juan co-operates with Eden. It's something Juan couldn't do last season as there was no such player. He is clearly enjoying himself and it will help him and us. And he was clearly unhappy when he was substituted. Mata-Hazard-Torres, just brilliant.

[TrippingStep 336]

On the goal of Torres, he makes a great run on the right.

[Madmax 9,219]

Compare his positions yestersay :

to Hazard's :

You can see how they're trying to play with each other and interchange often.

Also, compare his positions in this fixture last season (0-2 loss in May) :

He's now moving around a lot more and popping up all across the midfield band. He only came on in the second half in this fixture but you get the idea.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Mata roams around centrally whereas Hazard roams around everywhere.

[sleazyB 58]

Mata roams around centrally whereas Hazard roams around everywhere.

Yeah and I like it that way. Hazard has more pace, and is more useful defensively, so I'm cool with Mata creating in the middle while Eden just FSU every where else.