Juan Mata

[BlueLion. 21,491]

If you look at how many players have been 'dropped' or simply left out of the team this season (Azpi, Luiz, Cahill, Mikel, Cole, Cech, Torres) then why Mata thinks he has a divine right to start I don't know. No-one else has given that reaction and the majority have reacted well and improved their performance.

Mata hasn't. Very disappointed in his reaction and he's no fool. He knows the media very well and knows exactly what they will be looking for.

Absolutely, his public demonstration here is a clear indication he now wants to leave. The biggest "come and get me" you could have asked for. You look at how Azpilicueta started the season on the fringes and fought his way into the side with a positive attitude and some excellent displays. Mata has no divine right to start, as you say. I'm all for the betterment of the team, and we're playing better without him in the side than when he does play, in my personal view. Willian deserves his place, and Oscar and Hazard are Untouchables.

[The_Flash 1,144]

Aww come on Jose it was not about the result. He was raging about being subbed.

[The Skipper 20,609]

End of the Mata? Mourinho says Spaniard can leave Chelsea after furious reaction to being subbed at Southampton

By NEIL ASHTON

PUBLISHED: 18:17 GMT, 1 January 2014 | UPDATED: 18:31 GMT, 1 January 2014

Jose Mourinho has told Juan Mata he can quit Chelsea after his furious reaction to today’s 53rd minute substitution at St Mary's.

Mata ignored Mourinho when he walked off the pitch at Southampton and then slammed a seat in the visiting team dug out as he vented his frustrations.

His replacement Oscar, who was booked for diving, then made two and scored one in Chelsea’s comprehensive 3-0 victory.

Trudging off: Juan Mata was replaced by Oscar in the 53rd minute with the score goalless at St Mary's

Concerned glances: Michael Essien (top row, centre) and technical director Michael Emanalo (middle row, right) appear to console Mata

Mata has won the club’s player of the year award for the past two seasons and was named in the PFA team of the year for 2012/13.

But Mourinho said: ‘I don’t want him to go, that is my opinion and that is my wish - but my door is open.

‘The club door is open too, so when a player wants to speak with us we are there waiting for them. But if you ask me do I want to sell him, I don’t want to.

Livid: Mata was frustrated at being hauled off and appeared to launch a tirade in the direction of the pitch

Fuming: Mata was seen scowling on the touchlines following his substitution

‘I didn't see the reaction, his frustration was because of the result - we have to win.

‘If we don’t win this game then the difference to the leaders is bigger. at the end of the game everyone including him it was celebrating the victory.’

End of an era? Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011 and has won the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup with the club

That's the way to do it: Oscar came on for Mata and inspired Chelsea to a crucial away win

What sort of headline is that? Mourinho never said anything like that.

This is what he said:

But Mourinho said: ‘I don’t want him to go, that is my opinion and that is my wish - but my door is open.

‘The club door is open too, so when a player wants to speak with us we are there waiting for them. But if you ask me do I want to sell him, I don’t want to

DM are always full of crap.

[Korea 734]

eh, Mata situation is turning to the same situation as Torres....

Style of play doesnt fit highly regarded player and suffers (Stats wise).....

And people thought all that stuff in the summer about Mata and Mourinho was just a bunch of baloney.

[Mr_President 404]

What sort of headline is that? Mourinho never said anything like that.

This is what he said:

But Mourinho said: ‘I don’t want him to go, that is my opinion and that is my wish - but my door is open.

‘The club door is open too, so when a player wants to speak with us we are there waiting for them. But if you ask me do I want to sell him, I don’t want to

DM are always full of crap.

I just don't understand how the DM and other tabloids get away with grossly misrepresenting what people say and produce mis-leading, shock-jock headlines. I also pity the twits that read it (in my area there are many who have it as their daily paper) and take what it says as gospel.

[Sheva. 5,373]

"I don't want to sell him, but my door is open" = he can ask to leave if he wants, tbf.

[Henrique 9,133]

Mata just became a frustrated player. When Luiz came in the last minutes of the Arsenal game, you really could see the man wanted to help the team and play his game, Mata for instance just look disillusioned when he is playing.

That said, I can understand his rage. Why Mourinho didn't make the changes in the HT, why he just had to wait 6 minutes into the 2nd Half to do what he had to do? It seems he just wanted to embarrass Mata.

[drog.ba 239]

Thought he played well and worked hard,he just isnt quick or athletic enough to play on the wings or be the no10 Mourinho wants. Im hoping he can adapt or Mourinho can get the best from him.

Oscar playing in the pivot is a terrible idea currently, he makes a lot of tackles further up the pitch, he wont have the same impact playing deeper.

[edetarod 2,155]

play for Chelsea without the attitude or don't play at all

thank you

[Korea 734]

Thought he played well and worked hard,he just isnt quick or athletic enough to play on the wings or be the no10 Mourinho wants. Im hoping he can adapt or Mourinho can get the best from him.

Oscar playing in the pivot is a terrible idea currently, he makes a lot of tackles further up the pitch, he wont have the same impact playing deeper.

Exactly....

Oscar should not play in the pivot, unless teams are parking the bus.

However, even if he does, I would bet Mourinho give Lampard the role as 10 rather than Mata..

[Namika 922]

"At the end of the game everybody, including him, was happy in the dressing room and everybody was celebrating the victory."

[Styles 9,790]

It's clear to me he can't adapt with this set-up and what the manager requires. He just doesn't have the speed, stamina and energy.

I would rather have a lesser player who fits the system, that can be rotated with the others, than have a quality player who doesn't quite fit. I feel really sorry for Mata but this is a tough situation.

It's be best for all parties if he moved on in the summer and found a club that will accept him and will make him an important member of their team. He deserves that and I would wish him well.

[drog.ba 239]

It's clear to me he can't adapt with this set-up and what the manager requires. He just doesn't have the speed, stamina and energy.

I would rather have a lesser player who fits the system, that can be rotated with the others, than have a quality player who doesn't quite fit. I feel really sorry for Mata but this is a tough situation.

It's be best for all parties if he moved on in the summer and found a club that will accept him and will make him an important member of their team. He deserves that and I would wish him well

Probably means we will need another winger with KDB likely off

[Styles 9,790]

Mata just became a frustrated player. When Luiz came in the last minutes of the Arsenal game, you really could see the man wanted to help the team and play his game, Mata for instance just look disillusioned when he is playing.

That said, I can understand his rage. Why Mourinho didn't make the changes in the HT, why he just had to wait 6 minutes into the 2nd Half to do what he had to do? It seems he just wanted to embarrass Mata.

Because Southampton were almost exclusively attacking the side of the pitch Mata was on. They were getting a lot of joy out of him towards the end of the first half and carried on doing it in the start of the second. Mourinho, to his credit, tried to give him a chance but it happened again for 5 minutes non-stop. He had to make the change.

After he was taken off there was a period of play were Southampton had the ball and had absolutely no avenue of attack. They literally just probed for a minute because there was no weak-link. When Mata was on they just worked the ball around him at ease.

[Henrique 9,133]

Because Southampton were almost exclusively attacking the side of the pitch Mata was on. They were getting a lot of joy out of him towards the end of the first half and carried on doing it in the start of the second. Mourinho, to his credit, tried to give him a chance but it happened again for 5 minutes non-stop. He had to make the change.

After he was taken off there was a period of play were Southampton had the ball and had absolutely no avenue of attack. They literally just probed for a minute because there was no weak-link. When Mata was on they just worked the ball around him at ease.

That was happening since the first half. Everybody knew at the end of the first half that it was a time for Oscar+Willian replacing both Mata and Schurle.