Juan Mata

[Barbara 15,149]

He would have been literally useless in last nights game, hence why bringing him on wasn't even an option. And no, I'm not speaking exclusively post-Ramires. Although having said that, Mata would have buried that chance Oscar wasted (from the Dante mistake).

the first question is would he be there to take the chance? he doesn't run a lot in counter attacks (what I guess was what originated the play). But yeah, had he been there, he would have scored. Damn it, Oscar would have scored it, I don't know what happened, but I'm still cursing him in the inside.

I just never saw where Mata would have fit this match. It was a very physical, high pressing, tactical (defensively) match and we all know he can't fit those matches. He's slow, he doesn't press, he doesn't defend, he doesn't tackle, he's small (there were way too many crosses in the end). So yeah, not a match for him at all.

matches for him are the ones like the United match became. He's a maestro, he's smart and creative, but he isn't cut for counter-attack. I mean he isn't totally useless in counter-attack football, but the style definitely takes away a lot of his stats. He isn't fast, his positioning while we're are defending is far from good, so either he'll give the eventual first pass to set the counter attack (like the one Torres gave today to Hazard to start the goal he scored), but he won't follow fast like Eden and André did (again I use the first goal as an example).

So while I think he's one of our best players (Oscar and Eden would give him a run for his money now that they have a season under their belts), he isn't the kind of guy like Ronaldo or Messi that could demand a team to gravitate around them and improve the team because of it. Which brings me back to my controversial posts about him not from a few weeks ago where I stated he isn't big enough to be our team main star (relatively). That's what I mean. Messi, Ronaldo and even Bale are the kind of guys that are good to the point you have to set up your team to suit them, not the other way around. I don't think given the other 5 players we have in the 2-3-1 (from the 4-2-3-1 formation) we can afford to have the team adapting to Mata and not the opposite. While he had his significant contribution to the UCL title (I still give most of it to Drogba and our defense), we have to be honest and admit that in the seasons he had been our best player we were far from our best or the level required to win EPL and UCL in a convincing fashion. If we build the team around him, that's what we should expect again... mediocre in EPL (too physical for what he offers) and lucky on Europe (let's not talk about the third level teams we played in Europa League).

Now does it mean I think he shouldn't be a starting XI player? Does it diminish him as a player? Does it mean I think we should offload him? No to all three.

I'm just stating the obvious that is Mata has to adapt to the tactics and the team, not the team and the tactics to have to adapt to Mata because recent past showed we can only be as much competitive if that's the case and also because he isn't this giant in football. There are only a handful of those every decade...

So supposing he's the one who should adapt, how will he do it? That's the one million question for me. I don't know. We could move Oscar to the pivot and make him the CAM. I'll need to see a few matches of that to be convinced it would give the same results with Oscar in the CAM position (both defensively and offensively). He could play in one of the wings... except that the left wing is owned by Hazard - who I think will be our best player this season and who I think was really close to match Mata - if not the same level - last season. The other wing we have André performing really well and Willian joining. So yeah, I don't know what to do. Not starting someone so intelligent, creative and good as him seems like a big waste, but we should only start him if he adds to the team finals numbers and evolution. If his contribution improves offensively, but harms defensively, he shouldn't start. If others contribute more than him, he shouldn't start. If he doesn't suit the tactics and style of play, he shouldn't start. But there's only one way to find those answers: playing him. And I don't mean as a sub, Mourinho will have to give him a few starts - against smaller and bigger oppositions - and then we should compare the team with and without him.

I don't know, but this seems so complicated right now. He's been our best player - but when we weren't the best team. We may be on the path to be our best. How does he fit in? I don't know.

[Mouri_Matic 560]

Slowly drifting away from Jose and first team. The fitness bullshit is over. Like I said, this could be his last season for Chelsea.

[Henrique 9,133]

Slowly drifting away from Jose and first team. The fitness bullshit is over. Like I said, this could be his last season for Chelsea.

No doubt this is his last season for Chelsea, I always feared he wasnt the kind of player Mourinho need.

[Pepsi 34]

Mata is the type that would fit easily in Barcelona's squad. Chelsea is becoming more of a Real Madrid type of team.

[Stats 7,074]

Arsenal are at 3/1 to get him. Those prices are quite short. Hope he stays but I can only gain security after the window is closed. Although Arsenal have not signed anyone I can really see them making 1 or 2 big signings before the window closes. Do not sell at any cost please!

[Hysteria 159]

I dont see how he will fit in the system, i hope to find a way because i really love Mata but it seems too complicated. Oscar threw an amazing game tonight, his work rate is impressive.

[TrippingStep 336]

Arsenal are at 3/1 to get him. Those prices are quite short. Hope he stays but I can only gain security after the window is closed. Although Arsenal have not signed anyone I can really see them making 1 or 2 big signings before the window closes. Do not sell at any cost please!

He wouldn't fit at Arsenal I think.

I don't see how Arsenal could play Mata and Cazorla without being murdered on the counters.

He would have fit better at Tottenham with their midfield that are quite strong but not very creative.

[╫rue Blue 47]

so if some people love both mata and mourinho

but we just can choose one?

i mean theres many chelsea fans

really want mata having many game , because he is quality and best creative player and become one of the most favorite player for 2 season in row

in another side having mourinho as their favorite manager all of time, believe in best system which mata doesnt suit at all

ironic and sad

oh why this happen

[Peace. 4,352]

the first question is would he be there to take the chance? he doesn't run a lot in counter attacks (what I guess was what originated the play). But yeah, had he been there, he would have scored. Damn it, Oscar would have scored it, I don't know what happened, but I'm still cursing him in the inside.

I believe it might be due to a lack of confidence. He seems to have a tendency to miss "easy" opportunities. Springs to my mind the opportunity he bottled against Mexico in the Olympics (the header at the end of the game) ; one against Spain in the Confederation Cup and one against Hull which were similar. He seems to shot with not enough conviction, belief, confidence — as if he was afraid to miss (which is the case in my opinion). Just take a look at the penalty he took yesterday, and especially his facial expression when he come back toward his team mates (after taking the penalty) ; for a few second I thought he was going to cry... He seemed nervous and his facial was crying out loud "thanks God it's over, I didn't fucked that up".

I believe a psychological work will need to be done on him so he can have the same efficiency in attack as he does in defense (which he definitely can).

[Styles 9,790]

I believe it might be due to a lack of confidence. He seems to have a tendency to miss "easy" opportunities. Springs to my mind the opportunity he bottled against Mexico in the Olympics (the header at the end of the game) ; one against Spain in the Confederation Cup and one against Hull which were similar. He seems to shot with not enough conviction, belief, confidence — as if he was afraid to miss (which is the case in my opinion). Just take a look at the penalty he took yesterday, and especially his facial expression when he come back toward his team mates (after taking the penalty) ; for a few second I thought he was going to cry... He seemed nervous and his facial was crying out loud "thanks God it's over, I didn't fucked that up".

I believe a psychological work will need to be done on him so he can have the same efficiency in attack as he does in defense (which he definitely can).

To be honest, Oscar almost always looks on the verge of tears.

I don't believe Oscar lacks confidence, he's just been unfortunate to miss some of the chances you mentioned.

[zolayes 14,489]

the season has barely started ,,,lets relax and see how the situation develops ..I do not think we will sell Mata

[xPetrCechx 13,565]

Really Hope He Will Play!

[coolhead23 1,146]

Starting to have a bad feeling about the entire Mata situation now especially after last night game ... A situation which we couldnt even imagine last season ... from a messiah, from a would be legend, integral player, long term idol to a bench warmer? Damn Scary!

[Styles 9,790]

Starting to have a bad feeling about the entire Mata situation now especially after last night game ... A situation which we couldnt even imagine last season ... from a messiah, from a would be legend, integral player, long term idol to a bench warmer? Damn Scary!

Speak for yourself. Many people knew Mata found it difficult in big games and was borderline invisible on several occasions.

We're not a one man team.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

y'all need Jesus.

[Peace. 4,352]

To be honest, Oscar almost always looks on the verge of tears.

I don't believe Oscar lacks confidence, he's just been unfortunate to miss some of the chances you mentioned.

Ahah, that's so true !

Hum, I don't know. Because, take a look at the chances I have mentioned, plus some others like those three (?) against Sunderland last year. It's more or less clear cut chances, though nothing dangerous came from it. And now take a look at some of the goals he has scored : the two against la Juve ; the goal against Shakhtar (when he lobed the goalkeeper from midfield) ; the third one he scored against Portugal in the U21 final... I don't know, to my eyes he seems to have a problems when it's "too" easy and seems more comfortable when it's a "difficult" chance, or when he has little time to think (for instance, against Loserpool and Tottenham last year, Hull this season).

Is it due to a lack of confidence ? Or at the contrary he is over-confident and take nonchalantly the shot ? Or he tends to over-think the move and it fucks up ? I am not sure which one it is (I chose the lack of confidence because he doesn't strike as the most confident player out there )but which is sure is that he lacks of composure and he needs to work that out — even though, nothing to worry about at this stage, it's a problem that more or less al the players of his age have.

[polo 18]

he's disgusted. look at his hairy face

[Stingray 9,441]

y'all need Jesus.

I am not sure about that, really ....