Juan Mata

[Chelsea? 892]

he also left the pivot exposed unlike Oscar.

yea, our #10 should worry more about our pivot than creating a goal

[Barbara 15,149]

Played the #10 role so much better than Oscar.

he also left the pivot exposed unlike Oscar.

both things are true. They compliment each other and I guess we could play with both of them.

The thing is we can't afford to have more than one player with no defensive responsibilities and that might be Hazard, although Eden had one of the best work rates there tonight. So while Eden is working hard to recover the ball and putting pressure we don't need Mata to do it.

Mata added a pace we didn't have in the first half, but it felt like it was like the team settled down when he came in rather than him making an impact all by himself. It shows how much the teams trusts Mata...

Also feels like Mata improved Eden, as Oscar played closer to Moses than to Hazard imo

[Chelsea? 892]

Oscar didn't seem interested in controlling the game, he just played along with everyone else.

[bob345 1]

i prefered Oscar to Mata for this match

[meetdoscar 335]

He is a different player when he puts on blue. I know he can be great on the right wing or no.10

[Sheva. 5,373]

he also left the pivot exposed unlike Oscar.

Lol. Because Inter created abundance of chances after Mata came on.

Also exposing the pivot makes no sense, there are 2 players in the middle and if both play their position right, they should be able to deal with anything - while the wingers track back and help the fullbacks.

Mata is like the outlet whenever the ball is won, he can't be caught too far back, he needs to get the ball, look up and get the counter started.

He's undoubtedly our best option at the no 10 position and even if Mourinho plays him on the wings, he will still be the one with the most passes dictating our play.

[John1611 77]

Mata will hopefully boss it again next season. Wouldn't swap him for any other league player. IMHO he's the best creative midfielder in the Premier League.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10224069/Spanish-playmaker-Juan-Mata-committed-to-Chelsea-after-talks-with-manager-Jose-Mourinho.html

The Spanish playmaker, who has been named Stamford Bridge’s player of the season for the past two years, was the subject of transfer speculation after Mourinho’s appointment.

Mata has revealed he held a meeting with Mourinho to clarify his status at the club, and the 25-year-old is now fully committed to playing for the Portuguese manager.

Asked if he was surprised about the speculation over his future, Mata said: “No, I was so relaxed about it. I spoke to the club and spoke to the manager who said I was very important to them. It was very good to hear.

"Everyone wants to feel they are important. So I’m very happy. I’m training with the new manager and we want to improve on last season.

“I’m really looking forward to starting the season with him, we’re really excited. Jose did a great job here a few years ago and I think we can do it again.

"Every manager is different and has his own kind of work. But in terms of intensity, the training sessions are so high. And the plan is to put that level of intensity into the games as well.

“Last season I didn’t have a pre-season. So for me I think the intensity is very high and it’s good to make the team competitive.”

Mata’s desire to remain in west London is a huge boost for Chelsea, who are also confident David Luiz will remain at the club.

The Brazilian has also been linked with a move to the Nou Camp and Bayern Munich recently but any notion of a £45 million bid for the defender has been steadfastly denied, while Mourinho has no intention of selling him to the La Liga champions.

With Chelsea’s pursuit of Wayne Rooney ongoing, Mourinho is busily working behind the scenes to strengthen his squad ahead of the forthcoming Premier League season.

Mata is trying not to get distracted by any incomings but knows, having seen the evidence here in the United States in matches against AC and Inter Milan, that the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard, who both arrived last season, are now ready to show their true worth.

Mata added: “We just have to be focused. There are 25 players in the squad and it is not down to us who the club will sign. We are happy with the squad we have at the moment.

“When you are playing more and more with your team-mates, you get more of a connection. Players like Hazard and Oscar came last season and this summer there are guys like Kevin De Bruyne and André Schürrle.

"All we need is the connection. I think we have a young squad. We have 25 players who are ready to play.”

[Pizy 18,368]

It would absolutely make my YEAR if we signed Rooney and on the next day the official Chelsea twitter posted a pic of Mata signing a 5 year extension.

Would utterly humiliate United and make them look like complete mugs. Take their best and most important player and then shit on them and let them know that we aren't to be fucked with.

[TrippingStep 336]

Shit, Mata will probably not play against Roma.

I don't know if David Luiz and Mata will be back for Roma, they have some small problems, Mata a new one and David Luiz a problem he had in the past, a muscular injury he had before the Champions League final,' said Mourinho.

'They are working with the physios in Washington instead of travelling here. We'll see if they can join the team and play a little against Roma.'

I'm starting to believe the rumours that Mourinho don't really want them.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I actually can't wait till this transfer window is closed, people are worrying way too much.

[bleed_blue 136]

Even if one were to ASSUME that mourinho absolutely hates mata and luiz and can't stand them, they will still not be sold.

Chelsea football club does not give managers such absolute power and say in player trading.

Our past record with managers means there is no guarantee when mourinho might go out of favor, but not the case with players.

[Milan 17,853]

Apparently, Juan and Torres will not be in the Spanish squad for the game before the League. Only Azpilicueta will be.

[mediator 2,026]

Okay so Mata's injury could be only a fake one to prevent him to fly with his NT for the friendly to be ready vs Hull.

That would be okay for me

Edited August 9, 2013 by mediator

[Jase 43,479]

Okay so Mata's injury could be only a fake one to prevent him to fly with his NT for the friendly to be ready vs Hull.

That would be okay for me

We should probably just do the same with Azpi. It will be a waste of time for him to join the Spain NT when Del Bosque will end probably just playing Arbeloa at RB like always.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

No Mata or Torres in Spain squad so he should be available for Hull

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Legend and future legend

[zyzz 711]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTn2KsQf4es