Juan Mata

[JayC 171]

Say whatever you want at the end of the day football is a sport, an activity based on athleticism. Hazard is far superior than Mata in terms of physical, Mata visions it, Hazard executes it.

Actually I'd say it's more about what you can do with a football.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

Actually I'd say it's more about what you can do with a football.

What you can do WITHOUT a football is equally important in modern footy.

[JayC 171]

What you can do WITHOUT a football is equally important in modern footy.

It's no more than an advantage, in most positions. It's not a necessity. Being good with a football kind of is... you know?

Look at RvP - he's hardly quick. Yet prolific.

[Polo7 3,496]

It's no more than an advantage, in most positions. It's not a necessity. Being good with a football kind of is... you know?

Look at RvP - he's hardly quick. Yet prolific.

RvP is strong however. Mata can be shrugged off the ball quite easily.

[JayC 171]

RvP is strong however. Mata can be shrugged off the ball quite easily.

RvP isn't known for using his strength. He manages with his technique - control of the ball.

Raul - not quick or strong. Champions League all time record goal scorer.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

It's no more than an advantage, in most positions. It's not a necessity. Being good with a football kind of is... you know?

Look at RvP - he's hardly quick. Yet prolific.

So athleticism in your book is speed only huh?

What about RvP's body strength? Leg strength? Body balance? Suppleness? Leaping ability? etc.

[1chelsea 864]

Now days teams find your weakness and use it against you mata is a weak spot in any team he play Jose wanted more and think he can do with those weak spot if he play against them. He really a tactician always try to improve/raise his game

[meetdoscar 335]

Mata isn't ronaldo or messi u know he was loved but has been replaced already by oscar and willian in a stronger squad than before with hazard also having great evolution. Wish him well

[Shane 2,275]

RvP isn't known for using his strength. He manages with his technique - control of the ball.

Raul - not quick or strong. Champions League all time record goal scorer.

Raul and RVP are quite tall though, compared to Juan. A problem with Mata was that he is too easy pushed off the ball.

Mata signing is painting over United's cracks. You need 2 or 3 new midfielders and, In my opinion, a whole new back 4.

[JayC 171]

So athleticism in your book is speed only huh?

What about RvP's body strength? Leg strength? Body balance? Suppleness? Leaping ability? etc.

Not only speed no, but in terms of Hazard vs Mata, I would think that is the major difference between the two - Hazards superior pace. So I made some examples of how pace isn't a necessity to a footballer.

[Thor 2,392]

Not only speed no, but in terms of Hazard vs Mata, I would think that is the major difference between the two - Hazards superior pace. So I made some examples of how pace isn't a necessity to a footballer.

Hazard is a better player. I think you just need to accept that. Mata is a great player, but with glaring holes in his game, unlike Hazard.

Hes pushed off the ball easily, unlike Hazard.

Hes slow for a player his size, unlike Hazard.

Has an average first touch, unlike Hazard.

Not to mention Hazard draws more attention and breaks defenses down far better than Mata ever has, even in his first season.

The only trait Mata has over Hazard is his passing ability.

What Hazard has done this season is better than anything Mata has done for us.

[JayC 171]

Hazard is a better player. I think you just need to accept that. Mata is a great player, but with glaring holes in his game, unlike Hazard.

Hes pushed off the ball easily, unlike Hazard.

Hes slow for a player his size, unlike Hazard.

Has an average first touch, unlike Hazard.

Not to mention Hazard draws more attention and breaks defenses down far better than Mata ever has, even in his first season.

The only trait Mata has over Hazard is his passing ability.

What Hazard has done this season is better than anything Mata has done for us.

It's truly amazing how much a players value/ability/skill goes down hill, when they aren't your player anymore. ;p

[Thor 2,392]

It's truly amazing how much a players value/ability/skill goes down hill, when they aren't your player anymore. ;p

You can find my posts on Mata in here throughout mid season, and even just as recently as this season. I've always maintained what I said above. He simply isn't as good as Hazard.

I even prefer Willian and Oscar over Mata, although, if anyone were to go, I would have kept Mata and got rid of Schurlle.

[mediator 2,026]

Has an average first touch

I don't agree with that, he has a great first touch and nice ball control

The only problem with him, is the work rate to recover the ball while pressing (according to José standards).

He was drop because Oscar is better defender than him, but for the attacking part, there is no comparaison between them, Mata > Oscar any day (he shouldn't be compare to Hazard, Mata is a #10)

May be we should try a line up with 10 CB next time

[JayC 171]

You can find my posts on Mata in here throughout mid season, and even just as recently as this season. I've always maintained what I said above. He simply isn't as good as Hazard.

I even prefer Willian and Oscar over Mata, although, if anyone were to go, I would have kept Mata and got rid of Schurlle.

Fair play to you then, if it's your genuine opinion.

[1chelsea 864]

Seem fan when for hike to clear their head off this mata transfer completion. All thread look quiet

[The only place to be 11,313]

Really? There is more to it than a system change. Much more, in my opinion. You don't simply throw away a player of Mata's quality. You find a space for them. The last game I saw Mata play for Chelsea he was dragged off after doing nothing wrong for the entire game. It's all very strange.

The Southampton game? Unfortunately that game pretty much summed up Mata's place in our system. He did nothing wrong but we just weren't firing like we have been in other games. The introduction of Willian and Oscar brought pace and directness to the game both in attack and defence. It's not an isolated incident either.

Mata simply doesn't fit in our team anymore and making space for him completely changes the way the team plays. Benitez got away with playing him because he built the entire system around him and accepted that he will bring certain weaknesses to the team. That's fine when he's playing well but on off-days (and he did have them) then the whole team looks poor.

You've got yourself a great player but he has to be used in a very specific way. Fortunately you've got a tactical genius in charge

[Jase 43,479]

If we take the bones out of all this we are left with one common denominator and that is why the fook are we selling to Scum U? Cundy said last night on talksport that he had genuine info back in the summer that Jose didn't fancy Mata, so my question is why did we not sell him to PSG when they offered us 40m back then?

I'm not one to believe Guillem Balague considering of his Spanish bias and dislike of Mourinho etc but he might just have a point here in relation to what Cundy said..

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10593633/Chelsea-manager-Jose-Mourinho-did-not-speak-to-Juan-Mata-he-had-no-choice-but-to-leave.html