Juan Mata

[different level 1,056]

4 months after we sold him it still feels weird seeing him in the red shirt. Approximately an year ago he'd just won our player of the year award for the 2nd time and it looked like he was destined for greatness with our club. Just goes to show how quickly things in football can change. Kinda sucks he didn't stay to fight for a spot despite all the talks that he doesn't fit in Jose's system, but guess that's the difference between true legends like Lamps and Mata...

[Jase 43,479]

4 months after we sold him it still feels weird seeing him in the red shirt. Approximately an year ago he'd just won our player of the year award for the 2nd time and it looked like he was destined for greatness with our club. Just goes to show how quickly things in football can change. Kinda sucks he didn't stay to fight for a spot despite all the talks that he doesn't fit in Jose's system, but guess that's the difference between true legends like Lamps and Mata...

Get what you're saying but let's not pretend as if Lampard was totally innocent himself when it comes to fighting for his place in the team...

[different level 1,056]

Get what you're saying but let's not pretend as if Lampard was totally innocent himself when it comes to fighting for his place in the team...

Yeah, maybe not entirely innocent, if you're reffering to the AVB spell here. Then again he was by far the worst Chelsea manager in the Roman era, who was sacked twice in two years and in both the teams he was in charge of he fell out with a top star - Lamps and Adebayor.

[Jase 43,479]

Yeah, maybe not entirely innocent, if you're reffering to the AVB spell here. Then again he was by far the worst Chelsea manager in the Roman era, who was sacked twice in two years and in both the teams he was in charge of he fell out with a top star - Lamps and Adebayor.

Didn't agree with everything (or anything) that AVB did here but that's not exactly an excuse for Lampard to did what he did though (even if one might have a slightest bit of case for it).

[different level 1,056]

Didn't agree with everything (or anything) that AVB did here but that's not exactly an excuse for Lampard to did what he did though (even if one might have a slightest bit of case for it).

Maybe he didn't, but during that time I'm certain he was thinking about the best of the club and he didn't take the first bus (or a helicopter) to Manchester.

[Roquila 1,335]

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/478024/Man-Utd-s-Louis-Van-Gaal-ready-to-part-with-Juan-Mata-as-Barcelona-line-up-40m-bid

Let's jump in, and bring Mata back

[The_Flash 1,144]

I can't believe after all that Mata drama, all this stuff he since said how 'wonderful' he thinks Utd are, he loves their fans and the club but already he's going to be off, couldn't make it up, lol

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Doubt it's true, their board won't make such a move 6 months after signing him for such money.. It simply wouldn't make sense.

[nowhereman 7]

Interesting article, though it's unlikely to happen, I'd love to see him at Barca. With his passing skill, it shouldn't be a big problem for him to adapt to their style.

[Namika 922]

26/10, United v Chelsea. First time he'll play against us.

[The Chels 2,502]

26/10, United v Chelsea. First time he'll play against us.

Assuming van Gaal actually selects him

[mtowle182 79]

Assuming Van Gaal actually selects him

what if he runs into same issues with LVG. LOL

[Tomo 21,730]

what if he runs into same issues with LVG. LOL

The evil side of me wants it to happen, the backtracking would be hilarious.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I miss this dude, im still pissed we had to sell him especially 2 united on top of that his supposed replacement has never performed 2 the high standards he set.

[stroey 2,525]

I miss this dude, im still pissed we had to sell him especially 2 united on top of that his supposed replacement has never performed 2 the high standards he set.

Cesc will let you forget Mata.

[EBH 283]

4 months after we sold him it still feels weird seeing him in the red shirt. Approximately an year ago he'd just won our player of the year award for the 2nd time and it looked like he was destined for greatness with our club. Just goes to show how quickly things in football can change. Kinda sucks he didn't stay to fight for a spot despite all the talks that he doesn't fit in Jose's system, but guess that's the difference between true legends like Lamps and Mata...

The two time running player of the season, at any club, should be an automatic selection unless there's somebody significantly better or injury or something like that. Binning him for Oscar was it? What was the point? As far as I'm aware he's been worse than what Mata was. Perhaps it's less apparent at Chelsea than at other clubs because there's a galaxy of other 'stars' to choose from, but a few years ago a 'luxury' player like Mata would have been accommodated for, even at Chelsea.

I can't get around how lol the drive towards bits and pieces allrounders in football is. An attacking midfielder attacks. That's the whole point. You play somebody behind him who's got a high workrate and some defensive ability so that the AM can do what he's supposed to do. Why would anybody want a number 10 to waste his time learning to position himself defensively and improve his tackling; or waste his energy running up and down the pitch? Create chances, score some goals. That's all there is to it.

You can add onto that the obsession with having 'ball playing' central defenders. Why on earth would a manager expect his centre back to carry the ball out of defence, ripp past half a dozen pressing opponents and then play a pinpoint long pass for the striker? Or more pertinently, how can somebody expect a centre back to be so talented in attacking skill and still be a solid defender?

[Reddish-Blue 2,325]

The two time running player of the season, at any club, should be an automatic selection unless there's somebody significantly better or injury or something like that. Binning him for Oscar was it? What was the point? As far as I'm aware he's been worse than what Mata was. Perhaps it's less apparent at Chelsea than at other clubs because there's a galaxy of other 'stars' to choose from, but a few years ago a 'luxury' player like Mata would have been accommodated for, even at Chelsea.

I can't get around how lol the drive towards bits and pieces allrounders in football is. An attacking midfielder attacks. That's the whole point. You play somebody behind him who's got a high workrate and some defensive ability so that the AM can do what he's supposed to do. Why would anybody want a number 10 to waste his time learning to position himself defensively and improve his tackling; or waste his energy running up and down the pitch? Create chances, score some goals. That's all there is to it.

You can add onto that the obsession with having 'ball playing' central defenders. Why on earth would a manager expect his centre back to carry the ball out of defence, ripp past half a dozen pressing opponents and then play a pinpoint long pass for the striker? Or more pertinently, how can somebody expect a centre back to be so talented in attacking skill and still be a solid defender?

Well written, totally agree

Oscar will always be a light-weight CM playing the attacking midfielder role

It was unfortunate to see Mata leave the club...hopefully the signing of Fabregas will help fill the creative void this season