Juan Mata

[yuvala 2,167]

Hazard - Oscar - Mata

Hazard - Mata - KDB

One of these two IMO.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Either way, we ought to get a more direct football... 1-0 scorelines , here we come

Direct football doesn't necessarily mean 1-0 score lines. Likewise, possession football doesn't ensure plenty of goals.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-jose-mourinho-demands-loyalty-2062822

Mourinho insisted that nothing will make him even consider parting Mata or Luiz - and that they don’t need telling because they already know where they stand.

“I spoke with them during the summer, when I was on holiday and they were both at the Confederations Cup,” said Mourinho.

“But when they finished the Confederations Cup I just wished them luck and told them that I will see them on July 28th.

“I am not going to contact them based on news stories that are not true.

“And they know that the stories are not true because I have told them they are very important for me.

“How can I change that two days later because of a story? So there has been no contact with them.”

[Manuf 1,448]

Mata is untouchable. Seems that a lot of people forgot that he was one of our main players since the day he first kicked the ball for Chelsea. KDB better than him? give me a break.

[Dion 2,476]

Mata is untouchable. Seems that a lot of people forgot that he was one of our main players since the day he first kicked the ball for Chelsea. KDB better than him? give me a break.

Nobody is untouchable. And it's about doing what it's best for the team. Ok, Mata's best position may be CAM and he may lose a bit of effect playing from the wings, but it's all about balancing everything out. Let's just play with some hypothetical numbers to demonstrate my point.

Let's say Mata's effect on the game from a CAM position equates to 90 points whereas playing as RW that would fall to 80. However, Oscar has 80 points as CAM and 50 as RW. If you play Mata at RW and Oscar at CAM, even if Mata would be better at CAM, the team will be better as a whole and also have more balance with Oscar in the middle - the opposing team will be threatened through the middle as much as on the flanks (balance) and we would perform 20 points better (actually, probably more because of balance - with Mata in the middle, the right wing would be a much less effective zone, reducing his passing options [because Oscar wouldn't get into good positions in RW or wouldn't make a run when he should] or because he would face more defenders [because Oscar wouldn't pull markers to himself from making runs and positioning well]). In the end of the day, even if you perform better in a certain position, you are only a team member, often some sacrifices are needed for the sake of team performance. I'm confident that Mourinho will choose the best option to create a winning team.

ps: Sure the real world of football is a lot more complex than that, I just tried to show that having a player in a sub-optimal role for him isn't always a bad thing.

[Chelsea? 892]

Hazard---Oscar---Mata

this seems to be what Jose hinted at. KDB and Oscar can rotate the CAM. But i did find it interesting KDB never played as a CAM the other night, or did he????

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Hazard---Oscar---Mata

this seems to be what Jose hinted at. KDB and Oscar can rotate the CAM. But i did find it interesting KDB never played as a CAM the other night, or did he????

He did in in the 2nd half.

[Barbara 15,149]

Nobody is untouchable. And it's about doing what it's best for the team. Ok, Mata's best position may be CAM and he may lose a bit of effect playing from the wings, but it's all about balancing everything out. Let's just play with some hypothetical numbers to demonstrate my point.

Let's say Mata's effect on the game from a CAM position equates to 90 points whereas playing as RW that would fall to 80. However, Oscar has 80 points as CAM and 50 as RW. If you play Mata at RW and Oscar at CAM, even if Mata would be better at CAM, the team will be better as a whole and also have more balance with Oscar in the middle - the opposing team will be threatened through the middle as much as on the flanks (balance) and we would perform 20 points better (actually, probably more because of balance - with Mata in the middle, the right wing would be a much less effective zone, reducing his passing options [because Oscar wouldn't get into good positions in RW or wouldn't make a run when he should] or because he would face more defenders [because Oscar wouldn't pull markers to himself from making runs and positioning well]). In the end of the day, even if you perform better in a certain position, you are only a team member, often some sacrifices are needed for the sake of team performance. I'm confident that Mourinho will choose the best option to create a winning team.

ps: Sure the real world of football is a lot more complex than that, I just tried to show that having a player in a sub-optimal role for him isn't always a bad thing.

taking one for the team. That's where the expression probably comes from anyway

I totally agree.

We need the best team and if a player or two have to sacrifice their favorite/best position, so be it.

let's not forget how much those players rotated last season, which I guess might continue under Mourinho, although I don't remember seeing players rotating positions a lot during RM matches...

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

People forget Mata played more to the right for a bit under RDM and he did alright. He'll do good on the right and if Ramires plays right side of the pivot he will be more than capable to cover for him. If hes playing on the right wing, he'll be coming in field all the time so it might mean he'll shoot more like that goal he scored against Arsenal under AVB in that 5-3 game. Will save me shouting 'fucking shoot' at him when hes in more central positions trying to work onto his left the whole time.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Mata can play all 3 AM positions at a high level, so can Hazard and KDB. Schurrle and Moses should only stay on the wings and Oscar in the middle.

My depth chart for the 3 positions would be:

LW - Hazard, Mata, KDB, Schurrle, Moses

CAM - Oscar, Mata, KDB, Hazard

RW - Mata, KDB, Moses

[meetdoscar 335]

Mata should not be shifted to accommodate any player. Any one who has to play should earn it, improve or burst why shift a player who gives more penetration and direct play to chelsea than i've ever seen. Oscar won't thrive best in 10 except the team is built somewhat around him. KDB should be used on the right. Hence you have either Hazard-mata-Kdb or hazard-oscar-kdb. Mou has to see this I hope because mata hasn't the pace or strength to go past fullbacks his intelligence is best served in front of the opposition box.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Mata should not be shifted to accommodate any player. Any one who has to play should earn it, improve or burst why shift a player who gives more penetration and direct play to chelsea than i've ever seen. Oscar won't thrive best in 10 except the team is built somewhat around him. KDB should be used on the right. Hence you have either Hazard-mata-Kdb or hazard-oscar-kdb. Mou has to see this I hope because mata hasn't the pace or strength to go past fullbacks his intelligence is best served in front of the opposition box.

But the thing is, Mata won't be moved to accommodate someone, but rather the whole team and system. The problem we had with 4-2-3-1 with Mata as the number 10 is that he very rarely dropped deep to receive the ball because he is uncomfortable with his back to goal which meant that we were outnumbered in midfield when we had the ball and we had serious issues with getting the ball from defense to attack. Benitez tried to solve this problem by switching to 4-4-1-1 and having the wingers play further back and used triangles with the fullbacks and pivot to get the ball out of defense.

It seems from the first preseason game that Jose, on the other hand, is trying to get that number 10 to drop deep to receive the ball from the pivot and move it to the front three or even be a bit similar to a DPL and play long balls from the midway line. KDB did this A LOT in the game and even Piazon did it in the first 20 mins when he played there.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I think now would be a perfect time to give Mata that contract extension

[Hutcho 8,443]

I think now would be a perfect time to give Mata that contract extension

Yep i agree. Really cement our intentions.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Mata is untouchable. Seems that a lot of people forgot that he was one of our main players since the day he first kicked the ball for Chelsea. KDB better than him? give me a break.

KdB has everything and more to be better than Mata tbf.

I think our top 2 players next season will be KdB and Hazard, I think Mata will still have a fantastic season but i feel the 2 Belgians will tear the PL to pieces next season!

[TrippingStep 336]

I understand the fears some have.

But it's not only Mata.

Mata, Oscar, Hazard (perhaps a little less) could struggle depending on the system we will play.

It would never have been the case, but if Benitez was still coach, with some midfield improvements, a new striker, I'm sure Hazard would have a gigantic season. I'm not sure anymore.

I think Schürlle and KDB will have the best stats next year.

Schürlle is the counter-attack runner with pace that thrives on Mourinho system.

[Special Juan 27,422]

The Mail at it again.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2370146/Arsenal-interested-Juan-Mata-Chelsea.html

[Pizy 18,368]

The Mail at it again.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2370146/Arsenal-interested-Juan-Mata-Chelsea.html

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Okay, Wenger. We'll give you Mata for Wilshere + £15m.