Juan Mata

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

So, logically speaking, with the arrival of Matic, a proper CDM, Juan Mata should be able to get more game time..

However, if Mourinho doesnt play Mata........

Or less since people were trying to place Oscar back there since they were desperate for Mata to get game time.

[Barbara 15,149]

The point was people stated Oscar was starting over Mata due to our incompetent CDMs.

Now that we have a competent one and apparently Mata is better according to a lot of people here, so, it would be logical that he would start according to their reasoning...

I think you're looking in a very simplistic way. The weak pivot makes Mata lack of energy and power to deal with the league's physicality worse, or looking the other way, Mata exposes an already weak pivot more. Having a stronger pivot behind him makes up for Mata's limitations to a extension, but he'll continue to have problems fitting in a system that requires high work-rate, pressing and is way more direct than he'd prefer. In addition to that Mata seems to prefer to have the ball on his foot instead of receiving it in the run - which happens quite happen with our system.

The reason why we weren't competitive in the past is because all the freedom Mata had gave too much space for opponents because our pivot couldn't make up for that amount of freedom. We've been competitive currently (with or without Mata) and that's because of the system we now have in place. Said system is more efficient without Mata because he doesn't fit that well. The question now is if Mata can adapt to the system because I don't see the system or Mourinho leaving any time soon. Weak pivot or not.

[yuvala 2,167]

He's just not suited to some specific matches.

IMO there are matches where Oscar would be much better and in some games I prefer Mata. We can use the two of them..

[Korea 734]

I think you're looking in a very simplistic way. The weak pivot makes Mata lack of energy and power to deal with the league's physicality worse, or looking the other way, Mata exposes an already weak pivot more. Having a stronger pivot behind him makes up for Mata's limitations to a extension, but he'll continue to have problems fitting in a system that requires high work-rate, pressing and is way more direct than he'd prefer. In addition to that Mata seems to prefer to have the ball on his foot instead of receiving it in the run - which happens quite happen with our system.

The reason why we weren't competitive in the past is because all the freedom Mata had gave too much space for opponents because our pivot couldn't make up for that amount of freedom. We've been competitive currently (with or without Mata) and that's because of the system we now have in place. Said system is more efficient without Mata because he doesn't fit that well. The question now is if Mata can adapt to the system because I don't see the system or Mourinho leaving any time soon. Weak pivot or not.

I already know this... This was a question to the people that claimed Oscar was only there and starting due to the lack of a legit pivot....

To your last point, if Mata cant adapt to the system, what does Mata bring than to the team?

[Barbara 15,149]

I already know this... This was a question to the people that claimed Oscar was only there and starting due to the lack of a legit pivot....

To your last point, if Mata cant adapt to the system, what does Mata bring than to the team?

The same he does if he doesn't adapt (except without the liabilities): creativity, set-piece, splitting passes. He'll never be the guy that will bring energy, pace or excel defensively. If he adapts so he can't expose the midfield to the opponent, then it's all settled and I'd even to see us play 4-3-3 with Oscar in the midfield, Willian and Mata ahead of him and Hazard as a false 9. Or Hazard and Mata and a striker. but an adapted Mata works in a 4-2-3-1 too.

It's a big challenge for him to adapt though because his style is completely different. Let's see what happens. I don't want him to leave.

[Svita 10 186]

when he get a chance, i wonder!

[yuvala 2,167]

Perhaps a swap deal for Costa ?..

Not sure if Athletico are the club for Juan though

[Blue Armour 4,439]

when he get a chance, i wonder!

It will be a while.

Its no co-incidence that he hasn't started after his reaction to his substitution against Southampton.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

It's a disgrace the way Jose has treated Mata. Has he even seen the pitch since then? Embarrassing.

He does this crap at every club. Hate to see Mata treated this way. You're telling me it's a risk to play Mata even against Derby County or bring him on when we're 3-0 up with Oscar playing poorly?

[Sheva. 5,373]

It will be a while.

Its no co-incidence that he hasn't started after his reaction to his substitution against Southampton.

Started? he hasn't played a single minute but has been on the bench each of those games as punishment

[Fulham Broadway 17,310]

Would have been nice to see him on replacing oscar (not at his best today) instead of Mikel. We could have battered them then, man citeh style. Not joses way I suppose.

Still reckon mata will get his chance, when we need fresh legs in the twighlight of the season, as long as he is patient...

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

It's a disgrace the way Jose has treated Mata. Has he even seen the pitch since then? Embarrassing.

He does this crap at every club. Hate to see Mata treated this way. You're telling me it's a risk to play Mata even against Derby County or bring him on when we're 3-0 up with Oscar playing poorly?

Lol come on you know mata would have to spend some time on the bench after his outburst. He'll take the time off and come back stronger than ever. Mourinho has to make sure he maintains control over the squad.

[The only place to be 11,313]

It's a disgrace the way Jose has treated Mata.

Chelsea FC, not Mata FC. Jose could have him cleaning the giant video screens for all I care because Jose's job is to win matches...and guess what. :blue scalf: :blue scalf:

He does this crap at every club.

Wins?

Hate to see Mata treated this way.

Lol come on you know mata would have to spend some time on the bench after his outburst. He'll take the time off and come back stronger than ever. Mourinho has to make sure he maintains control over the squad.

Exactly. Could always be the making of Mata to turn him into a dynamic, pressing, hard-working effective member of the squad.

Unlikely and that's fine because we can flog him and buy someone who fits the system. But the system has to be king, not just for Oscar, not just for the team but so that every age-group side is working towards the same thing.

[Blue Armour 4,439]

Would have been nice to see him on replacing oscar (not at his best today) instead of Mikel. We could have battered them then, man citeh style. Not joses way I suppose.

Still reckon mata will get his chance, when we need fresh legs in the twighlight of the season, as long as he is patient...

The irony was that Obi was brought on to ensure a clean sheet, and he ended up playing Hernandez onside. Granted United are always dangerous, but at 3-0 I wish Jose had just kept the same attacking formula instead of clogging up the midfield.

[Blue Armour 4,439]

Started? he hasn't played a single minute but has been on the bench each of those games as punishment

Well...., at least he was on the bench!

[Rapkun 668]

I don't understand why Jose keeps insisting on Mata's importance when he clearly doesn't fit into his plans. He's a top player who has been big for our team those past 2 years, the least he should do is be honest to him.

Ancelotti allowed Ozil to leave during the summer because he admitted it would be difficult to fit him in his team, and Mata is not even close to him in terms of talent. I think Jose is pretty much done trying to find his best starting 11 and I doubt players are still being picked on their form.

Now unless Juan is satisfied with playing second figures risking to lose his spot at the WC, he should be informed about his situation at the club and allowed to leave if he wishes to.

As much as I want him to stay, he needs to leave for his own good.

[The_Flash 1,144]

I still can't believe that after such a positive time at Chelsea, last year all the awards. I love him but I just can't see him getting back in the team.

[Cech's helmet 220]

Can't believe we're actually still seeing Ramires playing on the right side. it's ridiculous the number of games Ramires has played this year.

If Mata was as bad as Oscar or Hazard were today, he'd been substituted in half time. double standards of peace. it's clear that Jose doesn't like him for some reason and he should cut the nonsense and give everyone a fair chance

A player a who scored 19 goals and 35 assists last year can't even get a start in 2 games in a row? BS. it's no rocket science that he's the only player who creates chances for our strikers. Hazard always cuts in and prefer to shoot, Oscar is all about tackling and individual moments. Look at Torres goals last year, more than half of them were created by Juan. our strikers are not getting chances, they have to depend on themselves to create something out of nothing. cahill created 2 of samuel's goals today ffs.

[The only place to be 11,313]

it's no rocket science that he's the only player who creates chances for our strikers.

cahill created 2 of samuel's goals today ffs.

It's a cheap shot but Oscar isn't just being selected to create chances. He gives us creativity in other ways, like forcing the opposition to turn the ball over with his pressing. Of all Mata's many skills, this isn't one and that's why he isn't playing at the moment. It's not a personal vendetta, it's not a conspiracy and it doesn't seem to be affecting the team.

[The Chels 2,502]

Can't believe we're actually still seeing Ramires playing on the right side. it's ridiculous the number of games Ramires has played this year.

If Mata was as bad as Oscar or Hazard were today, he'd been substituted in half time. double standards of peace. it's clear that Jose doesn't like him for some reason and he should cut the nonsense and give everyone a fair chance

A player a who scored 19 goals and 35 assists last year can't even get a start in 2 games in a row? BS. it's no rocket science that he's the only player who creates chances for our strikers. Hazard always cuts in and prefer to shoot, Oscar is all about tackling and individual moments. Look at Torres goals last year, more than half of them were created by Juan. our strikers are not getting chances, they have to depend on themselves to create something out of nothing. cahill created 2 of samuel's goals today ffs.

Agreed. While Mata isn't the greatest at implementing Mourinho's high pressing and tackling strategies, you cannot deny that he possesses a level of technical ability and vision much superior to that of Willian, Oscar and even Hazard. Hard-working AMs are great, but in the majority of cases they can't play that killer, subtle and deft pass that we see with Mata all the time. Surely it says something when our CB (playing DM) Luiz has to take free-kicks where the best option is to shoot on goal because none of Willian, Hazard and Oscar can (or at least try to). It's a shame Mata doesn't fit into Mourinho's system because I think he is our best player technically and creatively.