Juan Mata

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Well this is the first time in his career that he has been in this situation. Can't really blame him for not knowing how to react. It's obvious he just wants to play football, this isn't an issue of money or anything else that can be seen as petulant. I can't be angry at him for just wanting to play football and be a part of the grand scheme of things.

Nobody can, but publicly challenging the authority of the club's manager in the way he did yesterday is petulant, spoilt, and childish. That's why he's upset people, myself included. I thought he was the model professional but he obviously can't take disappointment. The real great footballers respond to these periods and come back stronger. It's not like you can say he's doing all he can. At his best this season, he's been playing at about 60% of the capacity he was capable of last season. Yes, I know it is hard to play well and play consistently well when you're in and out of the team, but he has been given ample opportunity to win the shirt.

Look at Azpi. That is a real professional. Looked like his Chelsea career was over before it had properly begun, as Cole was one of Mourinho's Untouchables. He was given an opportunity and he took it, and he has kept his place because he has been one of our most consistent players this season. Mata, on the other hand, has been no better than average every time he's pulled on a Chelsea shirt this season. Compare that to what Oscar, Hazard and Willian have done this season, it is only fair (in my opinion) that he is second-choice at the minute. Huffing and panting, and berating Mourinho so publicly the way he has done will not help him. I fully expect him to be on the bench for the next few games, without coming on. Just so José reminds him who is boss. And I'd fully back him in doing so. This sort of petulance is what I'd expect from money-grabbing weasels like Tevez, Nasri, etc., not from a Chelsea player.

If it had been Eto'o who had reacted like that, you'd all be going ape-shit. Instead, because it's Mata, he's seemingly done nothing wrong. But wake up and smell the coffee, folks. Last season seems a long, long way away, when you consider his recent performances. Willy and Ossie are the starters, and rightfully so. It's up to Mata to stop acting like a bitch, man up, and try and win his place back. If he can put his hand on his heart and say he has done the best he possibly can in the opportunities he's been granted (and let's be fair, he's had plenty - he's made 14 starts this season, plus 3 sub appearances, it's not like he hasn't been given a chance, like de Bruyne), I'd call him a liar. Willian has only played two more games, but in his 19 appearances he's contributed far more to the cause (not talking about goals and assists here, I'm talking about his defensive work-rate, which is pivotal to this Chelsea set-up) than Mata has this season. Thus his inclusion is warranted.

I have no qualms with Mourinho, but I'm upset with Mata's childish behaviour. Not what I'd expect from him. Maybe the likes of Torres as he can get very angry indeed, but for Nice-Man Juan, no, that's totally out of character. He's pissed, and yes he wants to play football, but acting like this won't help him. Now it's up to him to take his chastisement like a man.

If this is going to be the end, I'll thank Mata for his services, he's a European Cup winner for us and I will always love him for that reason. But let's not kid ourselves here, I wouldn't cry myself to sleep if he left; not in the same way I will when Cech/Terry/Lampard/Cole leave, or if we were to inexplicably sell Hazard or Oscar. Maybe Mata likes being the big fish? He has done so in the past, but only in relatively small ponds. Perhaps there's a reason Madrid let him go? It seems to me he can't deal with the competition, and instead of fighting for his place, he's opening a can of worms by starting a war with a manager who can easily put compassion aside. Look what he did with Casillas. Mourinho doesn't give a fuck about sentimentality, and that is for the betterment of this club. We are in a period of transition and thus have to make do with what instruments we have. Mourinho has, somehow, turned this side into title contenders, so he's clearly doing a good job. He chooses to play the other options over Mata, and rightfully so in my opinion. I'll trust his judgement.

If this is the end, then goodbye and farewell, Juan. I'd just have expected it to have ended a little less acrimoniously, but then again, you don't really know a person until you see them at their desperate worst, do you?

[Term-X 7,891]

'On a side note', you have to commend Mourinho for having the sheer balls to just manage the team. Any other generic weak-willed coach would have persisted with Mata until they were sacked. Being 'back to back' player of the year at a club can make you untouchable.

[Special Juan 27,476]

'On a side note', you have to commend Mourinho for having the sheer balls to just manage the team. Any other generic weak-willed coach would have persisted with Mata until they were sacked. Being 'back to back' player of the year at a club can make you untouchable; i.e there are still some Chelsea fans (the ones with low football I.Q's) who don't understand the situation.

Yep, he wants a style and if Mata doesn't suit it then so be it.

It's been discussed before and I will say it again, this isn't Torres or Mata FC it's Chelsea FC and Jose is steering this ship.

[Spike 12,049]

He is only human. There is only so much frustration a human can take. He may be a professional but he is a human first and human's want what they want and if they are being constantly denied what they want it can only manifest as frustration.

But when it comes down to the line, professional or unprofessional means nothing. In the fantastic words from Glengarry Glenn Ross can describe:

"Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. If you want to work here, close."

[gary gordon 1,777]

I'm happy with Mata. He showed that he cares about the result. A lot of other players would have loved to get out of that rain, into the showers and some warm clothes. Mata will get his chance again. He won't be leaving, he doesn't strike me as a player who would quit and move on just like that.

[bushman 2,043]

I'm happy with Mata. He showed that he cares about the result. A lot of other players would have loved to get out of that rain, into the showers and some warm clothes. Mata will get his chance again. He won't be leaving, he doesn't strike me as a player who would quit and move on just like that.

I thought he was frustrated because he got pulled out, not to you ?

[zolayes 14,489]

KEEP HIM ,, He is still a talented player who offers us options . Atm tho he is behind Oscar , Hazard and imo Willian .. But injuries happen and we

could regret letting him go

[bushman 2,043]

KEEP HIM ,, He is still a talented player who offers us options . Atm tho he is behind Oscar , Hazard and imo Willian .. But injuries happen and we

could regret letting him go

Well said, Chelsea may get 25m now, but....just a bit worried I am. Jose is not a man to forget his show, easily.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Still believe that against teams that will park the bus,Mata along with Hazard are our best bets.

[Special Juan 27,476]

KEEP HIM ,, He is still a talented player who offers us options . Atm tho he is behind Oscar , Hazard and imo Willian .. But injuries happen and we

could regret letting him go

See it's the fine balance between having someone who is content sitting on the bench and being used sporadically and someone like him who wants o be playing and thinks he should be playing all the time.

Saying 'Keep him' is easy to us, but he wants to play but isn't better right now then Hazard, Oscar or Willian, it's that simple.

[OnePound 22]

so should he be given special treatment?

Well, your beloved Oscar was given a special treatment when Mourinho said 5 months ago that he was the choosen one and you didn't say anything about that.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Tired of people trashing Mata on here. You don't have to bash him simply to prop up the manager. Stop revising history people.

[bushman 2,043]

Tired of people trashing Mata on here. You don't have to bash him simply to prop up the manager. Stop revising history people.

Well said, no need to thrash him. However, he has got no one to blame, but himself.

PSG may meet Chelsea´s evaluation of 30m, let him go. Money received = money spent on others.

[HD3D 1,038]

I don't think mata will find it as easy as people think to walk into any team in europe and starting matches behind the striker.

PSG play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2

With ibrahimovic or cavani on form and playing in the center he has no chance of playing centrally.

He will end up playing in the wings, and if he couldn't adapt here, its not looking good because he has lucas moura and lavezzi to challenge

At Bayern and Barca he'll be on the bench. Madrid sold ozil because of workrate, mata doesn't stand a chance. Dortmund don't have money, manutd have rooney playing there and even kagawa (another player that is only good in one position) can't get there ahead of rooney. Tottenham don't look like getting into champs league, liverpool have to get into champs lge to get him, and if suarez and sturridge are both fit he may still have to play in the wings.

His options to get matches for world cup don't look good unless dortmund break their bank or another team changes their system to 4-2-3-1 just for mata.

And on top of this we are still not sure if del bosque will start him for spain if he still wasn't a starter after his best ever year last season.

The only realistic scenario that I see to this is Atletico Madrid trading Diego Costa for him.

On one hand, Chelsea would get the top striker it desperately needs. On the other hand, Atletico Madrid won't be able to keep its striker much longer with a buyout clause of 37m. And when they do get the 37m, they still won't manage to attract a world class player like Mata. They won't get another chance like this one.

It's also a plus for both players. Mata will get the playing time he needs to play the world cup and Diego Costa will be at one of the best European clubs.

[Rmpr 8,977]

LOOOOL, so many ridiculous overreactions regarding Mata!

[The only place to be 11,313]

Tired of people trashing Mata on here. You don't have to bash him simply to prop up the manager. Stop revising history people.

How are people trashing him exactly? His response yesterday was always going to draw attention and Mata isn't one of the players who is too stupid to realise that. He knows exactly how media and social media works.

On the pitch he simply hasn't been as important as he was for us, and that's got nothing to do with trying to 'prop up the manager'.

Well, your beloved Oscar was given a special treatment when Mourinho said 5 months ago that he was the choosen one and you didn't say anything about that.

And Oscar has repaid that trust in him.

Oscar is a potential Ballon d'Or winner, Mata isn't. I've said for the last two seasons that we would have to choose between the two eventually and that time seems to be here. If Mata can't do a job for us on the right-wing then I really don't think he has a future with us.

[Special Juan 27,476]

He could be a magical bargaining tool is how I am looking at it.

[lionsden 4,689]

I'm surprised he's taken him this long to kick off. one things for sure though, he won't be short of suitors and offers if/when he becomes available on the market so our loss really. from mata's perspective, he knows plenty of top to emerging clubs will be after him and make him a starter in their respective teams so why should he settle for the crappy treatment he's been getting from jose. . . .he doesn't have the problem some players have of worrying that Chelsea could be their last and only chance of ever playing for a top club and at the highest level.

good luck to him wherever he goes as he's one of my favourite Chelsea players, classy guy too.