Juan Mata

[Amblève. 4,995]

You'd drop our best attacking player so far?

If it helps improving our team? Yes, definitely.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

If it helps improving our team? Yes, definitely.

We've been abysmal with Oscar out of the starting XI in favor of Mata though. In fact, I'd say we have been at our best with Oscar and KDB out there(Hull and large portions of the Munich game).

I think Mata will have to force Oscar out. No minutes on name alone.

[-Kaplan- 410]

He will be gone in January.

[didierforever 7,349]

We've been abysmal with Oscar out of the starting XI in favor of Mata though. In fact, I'd say we have been at our best with Oscar and KDB out there(Hull and large portions of the Munich game).

I think Mata will have to force Oscar out. No minutes on name alone.

and yet people have no problem with hazard playing 90 minutes in every match.

[Azpinator 2,325]

I'm seriously considering not visiting this forum anymorw if the majority keep slamming Mata (when he's not playing a lot and on his way back from an injury) and instead praise Oscar (who's had his share of mistakes as well) and Willian (who hasn't even played a full match for us yet). It utterly disgusts me.

Some of you are saying that he made a mistake that led to an equalizer for Basel, but somehow forget how Oscar missed a golden opportunity to win us a trophy against Bayern.

You say Oscar is a better #10, while Mata's numbers say otherwise.

You say Mata did nothing against Villa, Everton and now Basel, but Oscar had many many bad games last season too! to the point some other people here called him overrated and not worthy of a place in the starting 11. Were those bad games a reason to drop him from our starting 11? No because he wasn't dropped.

Have some respect for the man, he's won POTY twice, something even Drogba couldn't do.. after reading his post on Facebook I'm now totally behind him and I will support him even if becomes Torres 2.0... not gonna happen of course but still.

I know you'll be patient, I know you'll work hard and that you'll be back even stronger. You can cope with anything, pirata

http://www.facebook.com/JuanMataOficial/posts/711769258839593

[Johnny Kills 164]

You'd drop our best attacking player so far?

1 good month > 1 good and 1 great year? Really?

[Amblève. 4,995]

We've been abysmal with Oscar out of the starting XI in favor of Mata though. In fact, I'd say we have been at our best with Oscar and KDB out there(Hull and large portions of the Munich game).

I think Mata will have to force Oscar out. No minutes on name alone.

Mata has played 144 minutes for us this season so far which is nowhere near enough playing time to judge a player. During this short time on the pitch he has played with 5 different attacking players. Do you expect a player that missed pre-season and was not fully fit in the Villa game to do well instantly?

As someone already said (in the Basel thread IIRC), Mata's the one that his teammates can focus on and make them play better. And that's something we desperately need atm.

[-Kaplan- 410]

I'm seriously considering not visiting this forum anymorw if the majority keep slamming Mata (when he's not playing a lot and on his way back from an injury) and instead praise Oscar (who's had his share of mistakes as well) and Willian (who hasn't even played a full match for us yet). It utterly disgusts me.

http://www.facebook.com/JuanMataOficial/posts/711769258839593

To be fair, it's a forum: a place to share opinions and views on an overall topic(Chelsea Football Club). Launching an ultimatum based on opinions you disagree with is illogical. It kills the basis of what having this site is all about.

On the other hand, I agree about Mata. But expect more reactions like this. It's the norm. The easier way to view things is to just look at this game, and this game alone.

Who played, who didn't. Who did well, who didn't. Analyze only those points to get a clear look at what happened. We can't use past examples, like Liverpool fans so frequently do to establish their greatness, to reflect what is currently happening.

What is happening: we played bad and have been playing bad for the better part of this season. Who's to blame? Everyone from the bottom up.

[polo 18]

everybody plays bad except Oscar for the moment

[Azpinator 2,325]

To be fair, it's a forum: a place to share opinions and views on an overall topic(Chelsea Football Club). Launching an ultimatum based on opinions you disagree with is illogical. It kills the basis of what having this site is all about.

I just don't want to read things like that, if they keep appearing then so be it and I'll just happily stop sharing my opinion. It's not like I'm attacking people or wanting them to change theirs. I think nothing is illogical about choosing to be away from things that piss you off. I would love it if I can accept them without being pissed off but right now I can't.

I like how you see it but I don't agree 100%, 'cause I think using examples from the past 12 months would still be relevant to the discussion when you're talking about things like consistency or creativity.

[-Kaplan- 410]

I think nothing is illogical about choosing to be away from things that piss you off. I would love it if I can accept them without being pissed off but right now I can't.

I like how you see it but I don't agree 100%, 'cause I think using examples from the past 12 months would still be relevant to the discussion when you're talking about things like consistency or creativity.

1. Nothing is because it is your choice. But, to expect them to be a certain way, is. I understand. I am disappointed at this awful result too.

2. You can't use past examples because you have so many variables that have fluctuated, that it makes an argument that much weaker. We have different players and a different coach now. With these changed variables, what we can say is, we have gradually decreased our performances, as of now.

Let's hope the future is better.

KTBFFH!

[English Freak 456]

@,

Mata has looked average and out of place in Jose's system. Same with Hazard.

We are a complete mess at the moment and unlike before, every match we play, you just get the feeling the opposition might steal a win.

I think Jose just has to pick his best 3 attacking midfielders and stick with them. Let them develop cohesion.

As the Skipper mentioned in the Basel thread, we lack a focal point for our team...there's no leader amongst our attacking talent and this is creating confusion.

[Jase 43,479]

We've been abysmal with Oscar out of the starting XI in favor of Mata though. In fact, I'd say we have been at our best with Oscar and KDB out there(Hull and large portions of the Munich game).

I think Mata will have to force Oscar out. No minutes on name alone.

Like Amels has mentioned, how do you even expect Mata to force out Oscar if he only plays a game here, a game there? Oscar has been in decent form because he's been playing more regularly and had the situation been the reverse, Oscar too would be struggling for form and getting any rhythm to his performance.

[Kunter 22]

He is still our best AM imho.

We need his passing and his vision.

I hope he finds his form soon.

[FabHazard 655]

He needs to start every game...he is the kind of player who makes other players play better...hazard has been underperforming without Mata...they have that understanding and magic...they both should start..they are the key to our team..Oscar playing at 10 is not going to work against teams that park the bus..if Mata continues to get benched i fear the disaster coming up..

[The only place to be 11,313]

Like Amels has mentioned, how do you even expect Mata to force out Oscar if he only plays a game here, a game there?

You at least work your bollocks off on the pitch like Oscar does every game.

I like Mata. I like how he's a lovely bloke and at times he's looked Zola-esque but I can't remember a player so lazy in defence and so easily swatted off the ball. The other five AMs are dynamic, strong individuals so maybe he no longer fits what this team is trying to do.

It's too early to say...but I must've been one of the only people in the ground last night who wasn't happy to see him come on.

[happy_juan 64]

You at least work your bollocks off on the pitch like Oscar does every game.

I like Mata. I like how he's a lovely bloke and at times he's looked Zola-esque but I can't remember a player so lazy in defence and so easily swatted off the ball. The other five AMs are dynamic, strong individuals so maybe he no longer fits what this team is trying to do.

Your argument would hold weight if the other 5 AMs were running riot with their "dynamism" and "strength".

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I really feel sorry for the boy, our best player in the last two seasons, pushed onto the arena in a Gladiator battle without a shield and a sword.

He does not seem to fit the pressing system Mourinho wants, which was a bit similar to what Spain tried agaiinst Brazil in the Confeds Cup.

I can't help but think Mourinho is reluctant to play Mata in his best position because the team already has to cover for Lampard's lost legs in the pivot, therefore having to cover for Mata in the attacking position as well would leave us with a mountain to climb, especially versus top oppositions.

We badly missed Ramires' unique change of pace and stamina yesterday.

[meetdoscar 335]

He has to fight for his place, willian, oscar and schurrle are really tough contenders and from what i saw yesterday willian and oscar seem to be in the starting eleven while mata recovers form from the bench, hazard might soon be benched for KDB as well i think. Interesting series of events yet to unfold.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

and yet people have no problem with hazard playing 90 minutes in every match.

Hazard needs to see the bench too, but lets not act like he has not been better than Mata this season so far.

1 good month > 1 good and 1 great year? Really?

You play the player on FORM

Mata has played 144 minutes for us this season so far which is nowhere near enough playing time to judge a player. During this short time on the pitch he has played with 5 different attacking players. Do you expect a player that missed pre-season and was not fully fit in the Villa game to do well instantly?

As someone already said (in the Basel thread IIRC), Mata's the one that his teammates can focus on and make them play better. And that's something we desperately need atm.

No, I dont expect them to do well instantly. I do however expect them to be on the bench until they are in a position to play well. Lets be honest Mata has not shown anything near enough to have warranted being placed on the pitch last night. In fact, I think he was only subbed in to please the fans because it was a terrible tactic choice. Even worse was that when he came on he moved Oscar to the wings, which effectively unleashed their entire side on us. That was the match right there.