Juan Mata

[The only place to be 11,313]

I've made pressing sound simple because it is simple. The only hard thing about pressing is the stamina level required to do it.

You're right about the second bit, but actually maintaining an effective pressing shape is hard and requires a lot of practice and on-field communication. Mata couldn't handle the physical side of it based on what we saw. He's just not built that way.

It's rubbish that Mata requires a totally free role to flourish. He did play on the wing at Valencia and even at Chelsea at some points, yes? I agree it's not his most productive position, but he's not even close to poor playing there. He wouldn't even play as a convential winger anyway.

No he'd play as an inverted right-winger...except a bit slower. Look, he's your player now. You've bought a top-class number 10 and if you want to stick him on the wing then you're free to do that. Like I said I'm sure Moyes has got pads full of tactical ideas that will make Mata work for you guys....just please don't play him on the wings against City or Arsenal.

As for Moyes - I'm not going to pretend to understand him, because I don't. I'm thinking maybe it's the most obvious thing in the world. Such as a simple 4-4-2 when all players are fit. Two strikers with Mata, in behind. That way he can play all three and retain his beloved wing-play.

Putting Mata into the middle of a 442 stops is from being a 'simple 442'. He's not Keane, he needs to play in the final third and nothing else which means it becomes a 4312 in attack and god knows what in defence. Now that could be a classic diamond but then you're looking at your full-backs doing a lot more and maybe even Rooney dropping back to cover the holes Mata will leave.

Anyway, you've got yourself a great little player and he was probably the highest profile player that Moyes could've signed. Thank fuck you didn't actually sign a proper midfielder though.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I've made pressing sound simple because it is simple. The only hard thing about pressing is the stamina level required to do it.

And bingo. That's the biggest problem Mata had - he didn't have the stamina or athleticism to consistently lead the pressing game for us. He'd always tire out at around the 50/60th minute and it would greatly affect his ability in the final third because he was knackered.

Oscar doesn't have that problem. Our CAM is the one who leads our initial pressing game; we have stages - our forwards press, then the pivot then the defence and our AM leads the forwards; and Mata isn't effective in that because of his lack of athleticism and lack of long enduring stamina.

It's really that simple.

[Tomo 21,733]

Well, I think we both know there was a place in the Chelsea team for Juan Mata - you can argue all the crap you like about tactics and pressing, it still won't convince me this is the sole reason for Mata's departure. Chelsea fans need to face the fact that Mourinho wasn't comfortable forging his new side in the shadow of somebody elses buy. Your best player was sold because Jose is very arrogant and wants to build his own side. The lucky thing is, he's good enough to pull it off.

For the last time Hazard has not been sold

[Tomo 21,733]

My last comment was obviously tongue in cheek. Still, Hazard couldn't do anything against Westham - when you dearly needed it. Those two points could be so costly at the end of the season, and I can't help thinking that if you had a fully fit and confident Juan Mata that is exactly the type of game he would have unlocked.

DId you actually watch the game? i was there and he was doing everything to drive the team forward but it just wasn't our night.

Before you go on about how Mata would have done this and that he played in home defeats to QPR and Aston Villa during his time here aswell as a defeat to you've guessed it West Ham.

[NishC300 1,865]

Remember the two home games with Stoke in 2012? It was a Mata moment of brilliance in both that helped us win 1-0.

It's incredible how fans have just adopted a 'hate' for Mata in an attempt to show they are true 'Mourinhoista'. These same people have been drawing Mata-Zola comparisons for ages and have been talking about how he's a next Chelsea legend etc.

[Weckerz 3,781]

Remember the two home games with Stoke in 2012? It was a Mata moment of brilliance in both that helped us win 1-0.

It's incredible how fans have just adopted a 'hate' for Mata in an attempt to show they are true 'Mourinhoista'. These same people have been drawing Mata-Zola comparisons for ages and have been talking about how he's a next Chelsea legend etc.

Shall we praise him every time he puts a foot right? I respect him for what he did with us but he's a manc now. Time to move on bro.

[NishC300 1,865]

Guy on my Twitter TL calling Mata a traitor.... oh god...

[sk21 11]

Guy on my Twitter TL calling Mata a traitor.... oh god...

hows that strange/surprising? he wanted a transfer to chelseas big rivals.

[bababoom 4,478]

The member Seb on here wrote a very interesting Article about Juan Mata, it's worth the read.

http://theweststandobserver.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/mataphysics-of-a-relationship/

[zolayes 14,489]

I thought people got banned for TROLLING ,,,then why is Jay c still here ????

[Spike 12,049]

I thought people got banned for TROLLING ,,,then why is Jay c still here ????

Because he is shit at it? He isn't even winding people up, in fact he is losing every argument he has started.

[Stingray 9,441]

I thought people got banned for TROLLING ,,,then why is Jay c still here ????

Because he is shit at it? He isn't even winding people up, in fact he is losing every argument he has started.

While closely wrapping himself up constantly in the victim's role of being abused on here, always feeling like he has been done wrong whenever a shout has been made.

He could have been Liverpoolian!

[Jase 43,479]

The member Seb on here wrote a very interesting Article about Juan Mata, it's worth the read.

http://theweststandobserver.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/mataphysics-of-a-relationship/

It's basically pretty much what we all have discussed about Mata's deficiencies and him not fitting into the system..

[bababoom 4,478]

It's basically pretty much what we all have discussed about Mata's deficiencies and him not fitting into the system..

Pretty much, but i still found it interesting.

[Tomo 21,733]

Remember the two home games with Stoke in 2012? It was a Mata moment of brilliance in both that helped us win 1-0.

It's incredible how fans have just adopted a 'hate' for Mata in an attempt to show they are true 'Mourinhoista'. These same people have been drawing Mata-Zola comparisons for ages and have been talking about how he's a next Chelsea legend etc.

Stop twisting things and maybe these "mourinhoistas" learned from the Cech Cudicini situation

[JayC 171]

You are so wrong. Also, our best player is Eden Hazard not Juan Mata. Eden Hazard is not just better than Juan, he is SOOO much better.

Less crack please.

You're 7th in the league desperately fighting for Europa league football with Moyes in charge and you're telling us to be worried ?

Also for someone claiming to not be butthurt about Hazard you sure make a lot of butthurt comments about him.

He snubbed you guys and chose the better team. Get over it.

The better team? Your team is owned by an oil baron. Everything we have was earned. We have a rich history, and are currently champions. Chelsea fans are getting WAY ahead of themselves. You're the pretenders.

And bingo. That's the biggest problem Mata had - he didn't have the stamina or athleticism to consistently lead the pressing game for us. He'd always tire out at around the 50/60th minute and it would greatly affect his ability in the final third because he was knackered.

Oscar doesn't have that problem. Our CAM is the one who leads our initial pressing game; we have stages - our forwards press, then the pivot then the defence and our AM leads the forwards; and Mata isn't effective in that because of his lack of athleticism and lack of long enduring stamina.

It's really that simple.

Sorry I don't buy it. If Mata was so unfit he wouldn't be allowed to play. It's not like he's even old either. Also Oscar can do it, but he can't? Really?

Because he is shit at it? He isn't even winding people up, in fact he is losing every argument he has started.

I'm not a troll. This is why I look shit at it. Well pointed out, and thanks for the support.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Sorry I don't buy it. If Mata was so unfit he wouldn't be allowed to play. It's not like he's even old either. Also Oscar can do it, but he can't? Really?

It's not about him being unfit, he doesn't possess the lungs that Oscar does. Mata is the sort of player that reserves his energy for action in the final third - Oscar is all over the pitch.

You can refuse to believe that if you want but I'm pretty sure everyone on here, you know people that have watched Mata consistently for the last two seasons, will tell you Mata isn't athletic enough to be leading the high press for 90 minutes.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Don't get why this JayC guy hasn't been banned. He might not be the most obvious troll in the world, but he surely doesn't contribute anything positive here. Like that Everton fan that used to show up here before.

You don't have to like Chelsea, but at least don't go around spouting your United bias all over a Chelsea forum and telling us who our best player is and whatnot