Juan Mata

[Namika 922]

SSN just told that sources close to mata told them he is very happy at Chelsea and doesn't want to leave.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Mata isnt going anywhere, were just creating an atmosphere of doubt for no reason.......

[jeronimo 130]

If that's a pop at me then feel free to name me. I can take a bit of criticism.

Every player has weaknesses and every manager will decide whether the strengths they offer fit what they want in a team or not. I love Mata but I'm not of the opinion that we can only have success with him in the team. We won the Champions League and yet he wasn't the great for us in the semis or the final.

I've also always liked the idea of Oscar in the middle of the park which means pushing Mata to one of the wings, but there's a possibility that Willian and Hazard offer a greater direct threat than Juan and that's without mentioning Schurrle and De Bruyne.

All this doesn't mean I think he'll leave, but I've said from the end of last season that I think he'll play less games and be less important to us this season. I may yet be proven wrong.

Nar mate not a pop at anyone in particular.

I understand and completely feel the same way as you and have no doubt we could get on fine without him. It's just it seems as a lot of people are now underrating how good he is at what he does and thinking it would be fine to let him move to a rival. I really hope he does stay though, competition for a position is always a good thing and our squad is looking very strong.

[Cech's helmet 220]

Lol people here never fail to amuse me. no really, what's wrong with you lot exactly? why do you assume that he's not a favourite in Mourinho's eyes? do you really believe everything you read in the papers?

The guy missed half of the pre-season then got injured. same with Luiz. he didn't start our first 3 games because he's not fit. so because he's not fit, people go on to assume he's leaving? the lack of common sense is quite strong in this one.

[Sheva. 5,373]

I'm not saying that Mata will be sold..but people are acting like he's a god.

He's not a god, but he's surely better than Oscar or KDB. You think either of them can get 20 goals and 30 assists like Mata did last season?

[The Skipper 20,593]

The way people just reduce Mata as a player on here because he doesn't have the apparent defensive work rate or athleticism as our other attacking midfielders is quite sad.

Creatively, none of them are on Mata's level. Mata's is one of the best number 10s (if not the best) in the world for me, and to see that people are now starting to entertain the idea that we'll still be well off without him (not completely denying that this isn't true because obviously no player is bigger than the club) is sad to me.

It is clear Mata is very happy at Chelsea and is enjoying his time here, he's on the way to becoming a legend here.

Like I said before, I can't wait till he gets to 100% match fitness and starts reminding people how good he is again, it's like many have forgotten. It's sad to see our best player over the last 2 seasons under appreciated like this.

[Roquila 1,335]

I swear you must be constantly lighting blunts before you make a post, almost every post you have made is bizarre.

The bold part - That's not a bad thing.

On topic: We should rename this thread to "Let's find some reasons why Jose doesn't want Mata here"

Really guys? Selling our best player? Do we have Arsene Wenger as a Manager? Do we play in Emirates?

[DanishBlue 426]

Mata is almost a God to me.

We just can't sell this guy. I know we should only take football matters into consideration but I'm one of those who also like it when a player offers more than just playing for our club. I love Lampard because he is a true gentleman on and off the pitch and that's the same reason I love Mata. He just seems like the nicest man on earth (and no, ofc I don't know him personally) and his personality just shines through when you read his blogs and see his interviews.

Wow, it actually sounded like I have a crush on him, maybe I have haha.

[Stats 7,060]

Not to sound fickle here, but I think we're overexaggerating what would happen if Mata was sold.. I mean it's not like we're short of attacking midfield players now, are we?

That is like saying Spurs have a bunch of midfielders (which they do) and are adding and that they should not miss Bale if he goes. Like Bale is for Tottenham, Mata is a key player for our team and the amount of time he was the difference for us last season was countless. He makes things happen and hopefully if he stays, we will see why he is such a key player once again. Yes, we got many attacking players but Mata has been one of the standout players for the last 2 seasons and in no way should we let him go.

[gary gordon 1,777]

Can't even believe this is an issue. Mata isn't going anywhere!!!!!! FFS people, wake up!

[bushman 2,043]

I see two jokers are poking their noses at Mata´s butt, lately. The biggest one Wenger & the other clueless Moyes, I read.

Wenger is desperate to add anybody & Moyes wants to troll Jose, I believe.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

United are just pretty much trying to unsettle us the way we unsettled them.

Hell, they dont even play their OWN attacking mid in Kagawa, what makes anybody think they would play Mata.

Their player-coach Giggsy, when he isnt busy going after his Brothers missus, gets first priority as a sub. With Rooney being pushed behind Van Pussy there is simply no room for the players they have now.

[bushman 2,043]

Well, a very fine & precise analyses above, I must say.

Clueless Moyes has no chance to unsettle Jose, I feel. So far, what I have seen Jose already outfoxed him in the media & on the pitch recently.

[Leif 6,006]

I'm under the impression that Jose favours Oscar over Mata because Oscar offers more defensively & work-rate wise. That's what the general idea is, yes? If it is, is there any excuse for Mata? I mean surely if Oscar is being favoured due to his work rate etc. Mata should just pick it up in training and start working hard on his defensive side and fitness. He's better going forward than Oscar already but evidently isn't working hard enough. Unless Oscar is being selected because he's taller...which I'd doubt.

[Mouri_Matic 560]

I'm under the impression that Jose favours Oscar over Mata because Oscar offers more defensively & work-rate wise. That's what the general idea is, yes? If it is, is there any excuse for Mata? I mean surely if Oscar is being favoured due to his work rate etc. Mata should just pick it up in training and start working hard on his defensive side and fitness. He's better going forward than Oscar already but evidently isn't working hard enough. Unless Oscar is being selected because he's taller...which I'd doubt.

That is now how it work though, players have different style, you don't just show up in training and working hard so you become more defensive. For example trying to play hoofball with Messi now and he will struggle to score 20 goals a season. Doesn't matter how hard he try in training it won't work.

[robsblubot 3,545]

I'm under the impression that Jose favours Oscar over Mata because Oscar offers more defensively & work-rate wise. That's what the general idea is, yes? If it is, is there any excuse for Mata? I mean surely if Oscar is being favoured due to his work rate etc. Mata should just pick it up in training and start working hard on his defensive side and fitness. He's better going forward than Oscar already but evidently isn't working hard enough. Unless Oscar is being selected because he's taller...which I'd doubt.

^^ yeah what BMK wrote.

Work rate can be improved to some extent but not much. It's more of a physical and mental trait. Ramires for example is on the other end of the spectrum from Mata, when work rate is concerned. Mata is not that quick either and I doubt there is much he can do to fix that.

However, I don't think Mata and Oscar have much in common and should not compete for the same spot. In fact, I like Oscar best when he plays deep and dictate tempo. Then again, perhaps Mourinho doesn't really want to employ a pure CAM like Mata and want a player who can drop deep when needed, and that is Oscar. So, this decision is more about strategy than names. But then, why isn't Mata playing on the wings either? Mata could've done what KDB did against United for ex.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

That is now how it work though, players have different style, you don't just show up in training and working hard so you become more defensive. For example trying to play hoofball with Messi now and he will struggle to score 20 goals a season. Doesn't matter how hard he try in training it won't work.

I think its the league they come from too.

People, who often dont watch the Brazilian leagues, may slate the defensive play, but you will often see attacking mids put on a more defensive shift down there than you would in la Liga. I think that has a lot to do with it. I dont think Mata grew up being expected to help defend, thus it is foreign to him now.

[The only place to be 11,313]

The way people just reduce Mata as a player on here because he doesn't have the apparent defensive work rate or athleticism as our other attacking midfielders is quite sad.

Why is it sad? Should we ignore players deficiencies lest they read them and cry tears of sadness?

Will you be writing a strongly worded email to Sports Interactive if they don't make his workrate and defensive attributes 20 in the latest Football Manager game?

I'm sorry that you've been made to feel so sad by reading certain people's opinions. Nobody meant to do that and this forum really should be a place of happiness for everyone. I feel like I should post a picture of some puppies or kittens (your choice) to rescue you from the black cloud you have found yourself under.

Anyway....back to talking about football and not people feeling sad.

Mata has been our best player over the last two seasons - but over the last two seasons we've been oscillating between 'pretty shit' and 'the darkest moment in this club's recent history'. Yes we won the Champions League (and Mata did actually play in that game....according to UEFA's report on the game) but we haven't been the best team in this country for too long so excuse me for not feeling overly attached to the last two years when it comes to our league form. That isn't Mata's fault, and he's been one of the bright spots in that time but we're moving on from that. If Jose thinks that other players can help us be more successful than Mata then we should probably trust him.

I'm not saying he thinks that though, but just in case anyone thought I did and felt a bit sad....here's a puppy.