Juan Mata

[Jase 43,479]

Rob Harris ‏@RobHarris 2m

Mourinho says Juan Mata will start against Steaua Bucharest next week in Champions League

[meetdoscar 335]

He is back to form, should start the next game.

[1chelsea 864]

On the MATA am back!!!

[kellzfresh 7,229]

This isn't even true. Ramos was expected as the next big centre back years before Mou took Real Madrid. Ask anybody in Spain.

I'm sure madrid wanted the best right back in spain at that time to change position

[kellzfresh 7,229]

At least we can strike out one of matas weaknesses on his way to forcing his way into the spain squad properly

[Barbara 15,149]

I'm really happy with this performance but above all his attitude.

He played his usual in the attack, improved in the pressing and tackling, although he still gave the ball away 2-3 times (but let's not get picky). Truth is he's going to give it like that in almost all matches (as will any other player) so that's not concerning at all. The vulnerability I think he offered to our weak pivot last season when he didn't have any obligations with the defense are already being worked on. Missing a ball here and there is part of the process and the match.

I think we can see Mourinho's touch in his work-rate, on how he approached the match and his attitude in the pitch. Mata himself had said before the match he was more than willing and looking forward to improve, so I guess it's win-win for Chelsea.

I suspect that if he recovers his form from last season (and there's little doubt in my mind he will) and Mourinho realizes he can rely on him to command our attack actions with his assists and key-passes he'll be harsher on Eden and will bench him more often until he's challenged enough to step up. With the team being in transition and so many young boys in the AM, Mata can be the guy Mourinho will trust until the boys evolve and mature. Oscar and André seem to already be on the route and they're working their tits off in the matches. André is still inconsistent with his finishing and Oscar isn't much better (he can only score difficult goals, hehehe). Willian is going through a transition period, but I expect him to be by Mata's side as the men that Mourinho can pressure and challenge because they're older and more experienced.

Amazing match, amazing attitude, amazing character.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Mourinho on Mata vs #THFC:

"I'm very happy and I can say with 72 hours in advance he plays in Steaua Bucharest, he earned that himself"

"I think this is the way players have to say I want to play. Blah blah is not good, conversations with press aren't good"

"What's good is the effort Mata made vs Swindon, the way he changed the team in the 2nd half & because of that I'm very happy"

Seems like he's on the right direction of getting back into the first XI.

[Azpinator 2,325]

Talk about silencing the critics at the right time. I knew he'd do it. He stopped one of their counter-attacks ffs.

[Fernando 6,585]

Mourinho on Mata vs #THFC:

"I'm very happy and I can say with 72 hours in advance he plays in Steaua Bucharest, he earned that himself"

"I think this is the way players have to say I want to play. Blah blah is not good, conversations with press aren't good"

"What's good is the effort Mata made vs Swindon, the way he changed the team in the 2nd half & because of that I'm very happy"

Seems like he's on the right direction of getting back into the first XI.

Lol another dig at real Madrid and some of the players.

[Jase 43,479]

Juan Mata has scored 3 goals and produced 4 assists in 6 appearances in all competitions against Tottenham.

Juan Mata has scored 3 goals and assisted 2 others in 4 appearances in all competitions against Arsenal.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

What's the deal then? Will he start the CL and one against Norwich?

More concerned about Oscar getting dropped all of a sudden

[Jase 43,479]

What's the deal then? Will he start the CL and one against Norwich?

More concerned about Oscar getting dropped all of a sudden

Errr, weren't you championing for Mata to start over Oscar and now suddenly worrying that the latter will be dropped??

[Jase 43,479]

Like how he just somehow casually announce Mata will play against Steaua on Tuesday.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Errr, weren't you championing for Mata to start over Oscar and now suddenly worrying that the latter will be dropped??

Oh, i definitely want Mata to take over the #10 role prime time.

Not sure what Jose will make of Oscar if he actually loses that role......another role(like in the pivot) or 2nd choice cam?

Too early to call, i guess

[Sheva. 5,373]

He should be the first forward on the team sheet. Simple.

He just needs to be better rested than last season, when he was fatigued come end of the season.