Juan Mata

[Danelka 209]

We asked del Bosque to exclude him from these 2 national matches.

[Severinb 309]

Del bosque said that this time we did not ask for him to be left out it is because they have enough players in his position!

[Severinb 309]

"We didn't call him up last time because we agreed with Chelsea we'd give him a break because he had no summer holiday.

"But this time around there's just no room for him, but it's very difficult for us to leave him out."

Mata is a victim of Spain's impressive strength in depth, especially in the attacking midfield position.

The Stamford Bridge playmaker has to compete with Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi, Arsenal's Santi Cazorla, Manchester City's David Silva and Sevilla's Jesus Navas just for a place in the squad.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Del bosque said that this time we did not ask for him to be left out it is because they have enough players in his position!

If this is true then huge LOL at del bosque .Spain's loss is our gain.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

MATA > Carzola > Fabregas > Silva > Jesus Navas (ATM)

One of our Three Maestros is on top of his form, doing some amazing stuff.Now comes Del Bosque and says there was no space for him, give me a break!

CFC will benefit from this, great!

I wouldn't really agree with that to be honest. I personally think that Silva & Fabregas are a bit more adaptable in their play than Mata is, especially in the Spanish squad. Not that I'm doubting Mata's ability though.. Any other squad he'd walk into. But Spain have player who are more adaptable to their system in that position than Mata is. Who are we to argue with a coach who's won back-to-back European Championships & a World Cup.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

"We didn't call him up last time because we agreed with Chelsea we'd give him a break because he had no summer holiday.

"But this time around there's just no room for him, but it's very difficult for us to leave him out."

Mata is a victim of Spain's impressive strength in depth, especially in the attacking midfield position.

The Stamford Bridge playmaker has to compete with Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi, Arsenal's Santi Cazorla, Manchester City's David Silva and Sevilla's Jesus Navas just for a place in the squad.

How the hell can you choose silva over mata on current form?Thats just beyond belief,silva is in very bad form while mata is having the time of his life.Absolutely ridiculous!

[Kieran. 6,317]

A nice little break for Mata once again.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

How the hell can you choose silva over mata on current form?Thats just beyond belief,silva is in very bad form while mata is having the time of his life.Absolutely ridiculous!

Bad form? I wouldn't agree with that. He's not been as active in terms of the 'final assist' and goal scoring, but he's certainly been vital for City in terms of being a squad-creative player. He's playing a Kagawa-type role, where he's simply easing the passage of play on. The link between defence & attack. It goes unnoticed, but City are a completely different team without the little Spaniard.

That's why Del Bosque includes him. He's go the assist & goal threat of Xavi, Iniesta & even Fabregas.

[Jase 43,479]

A nice little break for Mata once again.

Am thinking the club should be doing the same with Torres.

[Rmpr 8,977]

I wouldn't really agree with that to be honest. I personally think that Silva & Fabregas are a bit more adaptable in their play than Mata is, especially in the Spanish squad. Not that I'm doubting Mata's ability though.. Any other squad he'd walk into. But Spain have player who are more adaptable to their system in that position than Mata is. Who are we to argue with a coach who's won back-to-back European Championships & a World Cup.

1st, I totally disagree Carzola and Silva are more adaptable in Spanish style of play, I will give you Fabregas (who is in bad form). 2nd, VDB has not won 2008 Euro. 3rd, even though he won 2010WC and 212Euro, he is widely contested in Spanish media (they feel Spain should be more agressive and play better).

We are nobody to argue with the coach, but everybody does it anyways. Dont we constest RDM, Mano Menezes, Fabio Capello, etc?

[HNKS 508]

Fuck him. Better for us. Mata is an amazing player, Spains loss.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I'm happy Mata is not going. Don't care about Spain and it's better for Chelsea. As for deserving to go? Depends on what Del Bosque wants. I can understand picking Silva who is out of form but who has worked well in the Spanish national team for years and Cazorla who is having a fantastic season and is more well-rounded player than Mata. ( works hard defensively) What Mata provides is fantastic creativity and movement, some scoring, great passing, very good at free kicks, etc...For Chelsea, that's absolutely crucial but when you have Xavi, Iniesta, Fabergas, etc...it's much less important. Spain right now probably has the greatest collection of midfielders in history so there's no shame in not making that club. If Mata keeps playing like he has the past few games however, he'll play his way on to the team.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

1st, I totally disagree Carzola and Silva are more adaptable in Spanish style of play, I will give you Fabregas (who is in bad form). 2nd, VDB has not won 2008 Euro. 3rd, even though he won 2010WC and 212Euro, he is widely contested in Spanish media (they feel Spain should be more agressive and play better).

We are nobody to argue with the coach, but everybody does it anyways. Dont we constest RDM, Mano Menezes, Fabio Capello, etc?

I wouldn't say Carzola either. But Silva is a definite for me. I've seen him play for Spain and I think he's quite adaptable at playing in that squad because he gives you a bit more adaptation than Mata. Like TorontoChelsea pointed out, the role Mata plays is the role you've got Xavi, Iniesta & Fabregas for. So it nullifies the need for Mata's type of player.

True about the coach, but I feel this is a situation where wearing our blue-tinted shades are more blinding than ever?

[OneMoSalah 8,885]

I thought we asked Del Bosque to leave Mata out again? No? Fuck it who cares he'll be fresher for us couldn't give a fuck if Spain don't pick him, they're loss is our gain.

[Rmpr 8,977]

I wouldn't say Carzola either. But Silva is a definite for me. I've seen him play for Spain and I think he's quite adaptable at playing in that squad because he gives you a bit more adaptation than Mata. Like TorontoChelsea pointed out, the role Mata plays is the role you've got Xavi, Iniesta & Fabregas for. So it nullifies the need for Mata's type of player.

True about the coach, but I feel this is a situation where wearing our blue-tinted shades are more blinding than ever?

Well, you are both right, but if I were Mata I would be upset. I mean, he is in competition for Fabregas and Silva spot (not Cazorla, since he gives more of a CF mixed with CAM role) and he is playing better than both of them. They are better players IMO, but he has the better momentum.

Dont get me wrong, as I pointed out I want him to stay at Cobham resting. However, you do feel sorry for the guy!