Juan Mata

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

But that's not what we've seen on the pitch. We have been keeping possession high up the field except against united and Bayern because our squad is still not ready to face them in midfield. But in all the other games we've dominated possession, we've put and kept pressure on opponents for the whole 90 minutes. In fact our main problem has been how to break down opponents in the final third and that come from the movement of the front four and it will take time. I have no reason to believe that Jose is lying, he has been honest in all his interviews to an extent that has never been matched by any of our previous managers.

Of course you have a point, but that could be attributed that teams like Fulham basically play so deep and clearly just hope to get a draw that having more possesion is a certainty, but even then I felt that there was an air of being overly cautios (fullbacks not making overlapping runs, wingers not taking on there man etc). But then I look at the Manchester United where we played so rigidly and defensively even though this Man Utd team under Moyes is absolute clueless it baffles me what he was thinking.

Of course this all speculative and it will be a matter of time on what type of football we will be playing in the next few months

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Of course you have a point, but that could be attributed that teams like Fulham basically play so deep and clearly just hope to get a draw that having more possesion is a certainty, but even then I felt that there was an air of being overly cautios (fullbacks not making overlapping runs, wingers not taking on there man etc). But then I look at the Manchester United where we played so rigidly and defensively even though this Man Utd team under Moyes is absolute clueless it baffles me what he was thinking.

Of course this all speculative and it will be a matter of time on what type of football we will be playing in the next few months

The let's just wait and see and give the man some time to show us

[Jase 43,479]

How about we drop the conspiracy theories for once? I think the simple reason why we said no PSG and didn't sell him is because Jose wants to give him a chance to change his game and prove that he can fit in the current system.

Conspiracy?

It's a probable situation and only adding further valid reasoning to what Marcotti and TorontoChelsea have already mentioned. Not dismissing the simple case of Mourinho just want Mata to get better but am looking at the other side of the coin as well here.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Conspiracy?

It's a probable situation and only adding further valid reasoning to what Marcotti and TorontoChelsea have already mentioned. Not dismissing the simple case of Mourinho just want Mata to get better but am looking at the other side of the coin as well here.

So we were willing to destroy the form of one of the best players in the league last season just so we don't get bad publicity. Let's ignore the ethical side for a moment, don't you think the club is smart enough to realize that that defeats it's own purpose because benching Mata will only create ten times more bad publicity than selling him?

[Barbara 15,149]

How about we drop the conspiracy theories for once? I think the simple reason why we said no PSG and didn't sell him is because Jose wants to give him a chance to change his game and prove that he can fit in the current system.

that's asking too much, sweetie...

Until the day José doesn't have Mata as a starting eleven moaning, conspiracies, disapproval, lack of belief and support will be the common sense here. Mata FC all the way! And the worst part is that some people supporting those things are people I used to think were here for Chelsea. I'm too naïve I guess.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Of course, it's theories, but it is supported with what Jose has said several times in the media. He really has been trying to explain what he's doing. Basically what we're trying to do is play possession football high up the pitch with ball on the ground while still defending in numbers at the back.

wasnt that what AVB wanted???

Yes it was and I'm sure he would have stayed on if he didn't completely loose the dressing room. He forced Roman's hand really. His appointment clearly showed what Roman had in mind and showed that he was willing to be patient but it wasn't the results that got him fired.

[Farid ChelseaIndo 1]

Support for Juan Mata..

[Cech's helmet 220]

Mourinho is an idiot for rating Oscar higher than Mata. the way we're dealing with our best player in the last 2 years is just as bad as what Madrid did with Ozil. Mourinho is costing us a world class player. (and they're a few in this club)

[bluesman2610 1,362]

Mata jersey on in honour of his start tonight.. Mata with a huge impact on todays game

[Korea 734]

Mourinho is an idiot for rating Oscar higher than Mata. the way we're dealing with our best player in the last 2 years is just as bad as what Madrid did with Ozil. Mourinho is costing us a world class player. (and they're a few in this club)

Everyone on Chelsea is a world class player apparently.. Yet, they can't sniff their national team...

Initially, I really detested the sale of Ozil, however, with the additions of Bale, Isco and even having Modric, Ozil was a luxury and was going to bring in the most funds back to Madrid (besides Ronaldo). So, I understand why it was done.

[polo 18]

Mata show yourself

[Jase 43,479]

So we were willing to destroy the form of one of the best players in the league last season just so we don't get bad publicity. Let's ignore the ethical side for a moment, don't you think the club is smart enough to realize that that defeats it's own purpose because benching Mata will only create ten times more bad publicity than selling him?

Whatever we do these days, there will be bad publicity, one way or another. Had we just sold Mata over the summer, there would have been a public outrage from the fans and media as well and probably far more than now. I'm not for one second dismissing the possibility that Mourinho is just wanting to take Mata to the next level with this so called tough love treatment but lets just say if the rumours were true, that Mourinho was actually unsure on Mata and/or he's not his kind of player, he gives him a chance to prove himself. If it works, then good and what Mourinho said about him till now is true. If not, then they have a good reason to sell and that will help alleviate the negative reaction from the fans and media.

[The_Flash 1,144]

He had a good first half then not so good, but I think there was a lot of pressure on him and Luiz, they were both sweating badly. I think there is a lot pressure and it took its toll but if they got to play consistent then thry may improves. I am a huge Mata fan but don't think Jose wants him which make me sad

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

Expected more of him..

[meetdoscar 335]

Doesn't deserve to play(start) against spurs

[Korea 734]

eh, I wouldn't use this game to judge Mata....

However, I still think he is the number 2 cam and not starting winger for either sides.....

[Styles 9,790]

He put in a lot of effort tonight and deserves credit. He ran, he pressed and was unfortunate not to get a goal (great save) and an assist (awful finish by Torres).

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

In some aspect this was not a good game from him.

But there were a few incidences where he made a defence splitting pass that no one else in the squad can provide on a regular basis. Jose, even if he does not rate him, must (imo) try and get him involved in the first team becuase he privdes that spark of genius that can get us goals (especially when the opposistion play two banks of four and sit deep) that others so far have not shown us.