Juan Mata

[Liquidator 5,176]

I'm really not happy about what Mata's done.

To be honest, whether it is what you expect of a Chelsea player or not, I imagine the majority of our squad members would do the same. In fact you could say Mata has been quite exemplary and patient up until and a lot of players would have done what he did yesterday far sooner.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

To be honest, whether it is what you expect of a Chelsea player or not, I imagine the majority of our squad members would do the same. In fact you could say Mata has been quite exemplary and patient up until and a lot of players would have done what he did yesterday far sooner.

I'm not sure. Don't get me wrong, I expect people to look glum if they're coming off the pitch early, out of disappointment more than anything. But people are trying to cover up the fact that Mata's reaction was far more vivid than the mere shake of the head and pout you'd normally get. I think the reason I'm so shocked by it is, as you say, Mata's behaviour has previously been absolutely magnificent. As I have already stated, this is the reaction I'd expect from the likes of Nasri or Tevez, or even someone like Eto'o or Torres, just not Juan. It saddens me that his patience seems to have been exhausted.

[The Skipper 20,609]

One moment of frustration shown and suddenly Mata is undermining the manager. Suddenly, Mata is an absolute villain. People are using this one tiny moment to completely forget how professional he's been before that. I'm not excusing what he did, but honestly, have none of you ever shown frustration when things aren't going your way?

The overreaction on here is ridiculous. You lot sound like the media.

[dee25 1,044]

I'm not sure. Don't get me wrong, I expect people to look glum if they're coming off the pitch early, out of disappointment more than anything. But people are trying to cover up the fact that Mata's reaction was far more vivid than the mere shake of the head and pout you'd normally get. I think the reason I'm so shocked by it is, as you say, Mata's behaviour has previously been absolutely magnificent. As I have already stated, this is the reaction I'd expect from the likes of Nasri or Tevez, or even someone like Eto'o or Torres, just not Juan. It saddens me that his patience seems to have been exhausted.

This?

https://vine.co/v/hVjtav3D6bu

He seems more defeated than anything. I can understand your annoyance, but think you're completely overreacting. We've had players in the past who've done a lot worse than that.

Besides, even when he's frustrated Mata's still so loveable!

[didierforever 7,349]

did mata spit on mourinho???

i mean the way people are "ridiculing" him here, thats what u would think have happened and not just that mata was upset over being subbed and shaked his head with an exasperated look.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I think the problem with Mata is that he just doesn't understand the current situation. He wasn't aware that he wasn't playing, he wasn't aware that there have been stories about Mourinho not selecting him and he comes from a country where football matches simply aren't shown on tv so how was he to know a camera would pick up what he did. It's not like he's had media training from the club or that he's intimately acquainted with the way social media operates.

Or maybe he isn't a complete idiot.

Everyone here can understand his frustration, but we expect players to conduct themselves in a certain manner even when things aren't going their way. It's easy to complain about the media but he made himself the headline with that little outburst and we're spending more time talking about a second-choice play spitting the dummy than a real superstar performance from Oscar.

[Barbara 15,149]

Dude, it has nothing to do with Oscar! I even said that had Willian and Oscar had bad matches, it still would make him look bad. It's how he questioned his superior authority like a spoiled child that bothered me. I bet all of you denfending it do the same in your professional environment.

As my posts are too long people may not read them til the end, but the last line I said I hope his actions as well as Oscar's shameful dive were a once-in-a-lifetime thing... I just disapprove that kind of reaction and if it was Luiz, Mikel, Suarez, or someone else, I'm positive a lot of people defending Mata here would be saying that's shameful too. I would despise their reaction the same way I despised Oscar's... one standard for all.

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.

no I didn't - although I said I think his main man is Hazard, not Oscar.

I was also one of the first to say Oscar should be dropped when he played awfully 3-4 weeks ago and also the first to criticize his shameful diving yesterday (by first I don't mean literally). So yeah, you have a point alright

[The Skipper 20,609]

It's how he questioned his superior authority like a spoiled child that bothered me.

That's your interpretation of it. My interpretation is that he was frustrated that he couldn't influence the game.

[Fulham Broadway 17,311]

At the end of the day hes fucked off at not playing which for a team game has to be good -its a competitive sport, and surely it would have been worse if he'd strolled nonchalantly off, or even worse came off smiling.

I cant fault the man but, for the good of the team the best and most suitable players for the occasion must take precedence, which yesterday were Oscar and Willian.

[Barbara 15,149]

That's your interpretation of it. My interpretation is that he was frustrated that he couldn't influence the game.

how come if he refused to greet Mourinho and if he pointed towards his direction in the sideline bitching with gestures, body language and probably language too? He was absolutely pissed at Mourinho, my interpretation of that is very clear, but you're right, it's my own interpretation.

I think you guys see what you want to see... but I won't discuss it anymore. As I said (and it doesn't apply to you) had it been other guys in our team or players hated around here, they'd be criticized til tomorrow. It's Mata so people find a way to defend it.

[bushman 2,043]

To interpret Mata´s behavior as he was pissed off because the team was not doing well at that moment is laughable.

Mata was pissed off because he was pulled out, as clearly seen.

To undermine Jose was wrong, even Essien tried to hold him back.

If PSG is willing to fork out 30m for him, let him go. Personally, I was always defending him, was not happy when he was not playing.

However, Chelsea is the team I root for & one Mata is not going to dictate where to play or how often.

Sorry to see it now, but Chelsea is the name & trophies are my game.

[-Kaplan- 410]

For anyone that cares to read, here: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/mata-had-100-per-cent-pass-completion-why-144117558.html

It tries to explain why Mata was subbed off.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

To be honest, whether it is what you expect of a Chelsea player or not, I imagine the majority of our squad members would do the same. In fact you could say Mata has been quite exemplary and patient up until and a lot of players would have done what he did yesterday far sooner.

I dont think the vast majority of our squad members would do that. Mata isnt the first person to ever be subbed when he wants to stay on.

[drog.ba 239]

For anyone that cares to read, here: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/mata-had-100-per-cent-pass-completion-why-144117558.html

It tries to explain why Mata was subbed off.

Doesn't really explain a lot other than he didn't have an attempt on goal. I thought he played well out of position, aside from his lack of athleticism, couple of great moments with Hazard. Can see him being immense for PSG, feeding Cavani and Ibra. Wish we could find a role for him, just won't be enough games for him as a no.10.

[-Kaplan- 410]

Doesn't really explain a lot other than he didn't have an attempt on goal. I thought he played well out of position, aside from his lack of athleticism, couple of great moments with Hazard. Can see him being immense for PSG, feeding Cavani and Ibra. Wish we could find a role for him, just won't be enough games for him as a no.10.

So you agree that he deserves more than what he's getting here?

I'd hate to see him go, but come on, he's too good to be a squad player. He's just not a Mourinho-type guy; he's pure offense.