Juan Mata

[Thor 2,701]

The curious case of Juan Mata:

Mata was a good player at Valencia, but he was far from a huge prospect when he signed for Chelsea back in 2012. He was the major signing in an aging squad that had AVB as the head coach and with few "flair players" left, Robben, Duff, Cole, Philips, Zhirkov were all gone, and Malouda was in decline.

It was easy to understand why many Chelsea's fans felt in love with the little man. He justified his player of the season awards with his stats: 55 assists and 32 goals. Despite his talents, goals and assists, Chelsea never looked really strong when he was the "maestro" of the team.

I have to admit the winning game against Liverpool, and the 2nd half against Southampton were the best PL game the team had since 2011. The midfield looked strong with AND without the ball. Mata is a player that needs a team that keeps the ball in their feet for 60 or 70% of the game, but he won't find that in PL.

He should be happy to be a Chelsea player and fight for his place.

This is pretty much how I feel. We were nothing special with him as the main man, and now we are finding some semblance of dominant play, particularly in the midfield, and its with Hazard essentially being the main man, with Oscar being the guy hustling all over the field.

Willian has, to me at least, already proven to be the guy that should be starting. He does all of what Mata does, but hes got a better first touch, and pace to go along with it.

I wouldn't be devastated in selling Mata as I would for example KDB. I think he got overrated here very quickly, and while I was a huge fan, I was also very realistic of his talent, unlike some people here.

[remains of the day 564]

@Barbara Of course you have every right to hold this viewpoint of Mata but the moment you dish your opinion out on a public forum then people have their own right to comment, scrutinize and challenge that opinion. Fyi the post of yours I read (and I read it very carefully) was the one where you called Mata’s reaction a “spectacle, pathetic display”. Those were you’re exact words. You then argued that Mata’s reaction meant that he was questioning the “superior choice” of Mourinho. I think that's a knee-jerk claim, but whatever. Then you called him “a spoiled child” and questioned how many professional players would be seen doing that (btw quite a few have done worse). So to answer your question, yes I did read your post and your comments in that post doesn't at all sound like the words of someone who understands or acknowledges that Mata's reaction was an isolated incident and one that was uncharacteristic of him.

I think what truly boggles my mind about all of this, is that what you're calling a "spectacle, pathetic display" was one minutia moment of frustration where Mata showed some visible signs of annoyance and gestured towards the direction of the pitch. That’s what has got you, Alex and others on here, up in hands and practically foaming at the proverbial mouth? You're going on about the “Juan Mata fanboys”, using mockery terms like 'Saint Mata' and making wild speculations about mata “questioning the authority of Mourinho”…. I mean, real talk, what the deuce is this? I’m I in some kind of alternate universe where Chelsea FC is now a totalitarian regime ruled by a superior master? Where Juan Mata is public enemy no.1 and anyone caught sympathizing with him gets flocked for questioning the authority of the master? Seriously.

Because some on here prefer Mata over Oscar and don’t agree with Mourinho for marginalizing him, is that what merits this ridiculing and labelling of them as ‘mata fanboys’? I think we should get one thing straight, we’re all Chelsea supporters here and each of us supports the club in whatever way we deem fit. I support this manager and while I might not agree with his handling of Mata, I accept it and understand his decision. If a fellow supporter doesn't like the way Mata is being treated, then that’s their prerogative, it doesn't make their interest in the club any less than yours which is basically what you and a few on here seem to be implying - that you and you guys alone, the "non-Juan mata fan boys" are the ones who truly hold the best interests of the club. The beauty about supporting a football club is that not all supporters will see eye to eye but yet we still support the club and defend its integrity in the best way we know how. You don’t like the way some on here overly sympathize with "poor, little, innocent Juan Mata" while painting Mourinho as a villain? Hey I get that and you're entitled to be critical of that attitude. But what you're doing is now turning Mata, himself into a villain because of your annoyance with these 'mata sympathizers' and that's not right at all.

In any case, labels like "mata fanboys" creates nothing but unnecessary divisions. Chelsea football club is not an authoritarian regime. Mata is not an enemy of the state and those who sympathize with him are not some kind of rebel group out to bring down the special one. They're supporters with opposing viewpoints. At least that's what they told me to say, bad joke!

[blu35_army 551]

another opinion....

Oscar: Mourinho’s winning gamble.

Posted on January 2, 2014

This player has been bashed by many, and accused of being overrated and should be benched by Mata at Chelsea and Coutinho at Brazil. He is never mentioned among the world’s finest talents, everyone always opts for other names.

Let’s now take a moment to appreciate the things that go unnoticed about Oscar!

A player who has established himself as a starter for 2 great teams like Chelsea and Brazil, from his first year at Europe and his first season at international level. He is a favorite for 2 great managers like Scolari and José Mourinho. The latter described him as his team’s best player this season. Coincidence?

How many players can cover the pitch, tackle, win the ball back, and be the hard workers that Oscar is? Do you even notice that he always does well in big games? For example last year in UCL, or Europa League, always scoring. Against Spain last summer, Bayern in UEFA Super, or even against Liverpool last week.

Look what the teams where he is a starter at and was given confidence have reached: Brazil have won the Confederations Cup, and Chelsea are only 2 points off the EPL, having already topped their UCL group. Compare that to how Chelsea finished last season where Oscar wasn’t the main man, was still new and hadn’t established himself, and you’ll see that Mata’s absence hasn’t turned out to be a negative thing at all for Chelsea. The team is in fact doing very well, and Willian, Oscar, Hazard were near flawless in recent games.

In fact, when Mata was scoring goals for fun, the effect on Chelsea was very small compared to this season. His side was 14 points away from Premier League leaders at this point.

For the many who questioned Oscar’s ability to hold the number 10 role at Chelsea, there is no statistical evidence on that, was it for the team or individually.

Oscar in EPL: 13 starts, 6 goals, 2 assists.

Mata in EPL: 11 starts, 0 goals, 2 assists.

Chelsea at this point last season: 14 points off top UCL group stage exit.

Chelsea at this point this season: 2 points off top, UCL round of 16 (ongoing).

Moreover, it’s true that Oscar isn’t known to be a top goal scorer, but on the other hand, there is this unbelievable stat, whereas Oscar who came off the bench against Southampton in the last game, made 5 tackles, most in a game. Mata would need 2 or 3 games to make 5 tackles.

He is no doubt a great player, but his work cannot be compared to Oscar, who is a machine, covers all pitch and is more of an all around player.

Let’s not forget that Oscar is more than 3 years younger than Juan, which also means that as time passes, it’s only normal that Oscar develops.

Oscar scored 4 goals in 34 EPL appearances last season. He has scored 6 in 18 appearances so far, and we’re only half way. And that is just a small example.

Although, everyone who watches this player knows that goals and assists are the last thing that make him the great talent he is. He is a type of playmakers who can be man of the match without getting involved in any goals. You sometimes feel that he’d almost play as a center back, if he was a bit taller, taking in consideration his defensive stats.

Skills alone are not enough in football. You need to have tactical awareness and discipline. You need to cover the whole pitch and not a certain area.

If you look at the game against Liverpool, one of the turning points was Mourinho’s lineup. Chelsea applied high pressure on Liverpool’s defensive line, preventing them from a proper build up play, and causing them to make many wrong passes or get dispossessed. Hazard, Oscar and Willian, had no doubt played a big part in this tactical approach by the Portuguese manager.

Compare that to Liverpool’s forwards, who did not apply the same pressure on Chelsea’s defenders, which gave them more freedom.

Saying that Mourinho only plays Oscar because he hates Spain, is not a very convincing argument. Whereas that very same manager was accused last year of hating Brazilians themselves, for benching a fat Marcelo and an injured Kakà. Even more, José prefers Spanish international Azpilicueta over Ashley Cole at times, and Fernando Torres over Eto’o. But that argument could be even less valid, when you reckon that Oscar has only started 2 more games than Juan in EPL.

Mata didn’t complete 90 minutes in most of them? Well, if he was so convincing (with 0 goals, 2 assists in 11 starts, for a player who lacks work rate), then I don’t think Mourinho would have shortened his playing time.

For example, I can’t really blame Mourinho for subbing Schurrle and Mata out, for Willian and Oscar against Southampton. The positive effect was clear, and that’s a fact. The Brazilian duo changed the game for him. And it has happened in other times as well, where Mata failed to convince, and his substitute did better.

Juan is definitely one of the best players, and he has proven his quality in the past. But bashing Oscar just because he took his place, is never a good way to get him back into the starting lineup. Only his on the pitch performances can do so, something he failed to do in the last game. Whereas, his manager confirmed that Chelsea lacked intensity and weren’t very convincing, until Willian and Oscar “changed the game”, as he added.

As for Willian, there is no doubt that he will provide more quality to this already decent Chelsea side. With more time, and more games, he has all what it takes to break into Brazil’s lineup at World Cup.

And Willian himself, is an example that playing time is never a restriction from showing your quality. He has only started 6 league games, that’s 5 less than Mata

Source

[The only place to be 11,313]

I thought I was the onlyone that noticed.

people can say whatever they want but I'm willing to bet my mortgage on the fact that the overall reaction and sentiment regarding the treatment mata has been subjected to, whether fairly or unfairly, this season would have been different if any other manager not named jose was in charge. no doubt about that whatsoever in my mind.

But Jose is the man in charge and he's making us a better team than we were before he came.

Because some on here prefer Mata over Oscar and don’t agree with Mourinho for marginalizing him, is that what merits this ridiculing and labelling of them as ‘mata fanboys’?

Prefer Mata over Oscar?

Surely that should be 'prefer the way the team plays with Mata over Oscar' to fit in with your 'supporting Chelsea' narrative.

If that is the case, one must ask why? We're a better team without Mata in it right now.

[5354 204]

Mata is unique in the team because he is left-footed among the other attackers. His in-swing crosses from the right flank is pretty dangerous at times. We just need a good striker to head them into goal.

[5354 204]

It will be a pity if Mata left the team.

If he do leave, it has to be another league, not to a team in EPL.

[Strike 7,489]

I said in my very first post that it was one time thing and that I hoped it would become a once-in-a-lifetime thing. The same with Oscar diving, I hope. So if you want to call me on something, at least read all my posts in the matter. I never implied he's an awful person, a completely unprofessional guy. I just think his bratty behavior IN THIS ONE situation was poor and unprofessional. Am I allowed to think as much without 1) people thinking I don't have a right to do so; 2) people thinking I'm labeling him as unprofessional?

Yes, you mentioned it was only about the Southampton game but you did have a go at him calling it childish, pathetic and what not. All based on his first act of frustration all season, Until the Southampton game there was no problem with his attitude, so it's really a case of 1 isolated incident.

[darrus 422]

don’t agree with Mourinho for marginalizing him, is that what merits this ridiculing and labelling of them as ‘mata fanboys’? I think we should get one thing straight, we’re all Chelsea supporters here and each of us supports the club in whatever way we deem fit. I support this manager and while I might not agree with his handling of Mata, I accept it and understand his decision. If a fellow supporter doesn't like the way Mata is being treated

This is what always does my head in. Marginalized? Treated badly?

So are we assuming outright that a manager - any manager - in his right mind is going to risk results and team performance just to treat badly a player he supposedly doesn't like? Or selecting the best team that brings results means marginalizing other players? Demanding a player to improve his game and show that he can bring needed quality to the team equals treating that player badly?

I feel we'll soon get to the point when Global warming will be at fault for Mata's being out of form this season.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Yes, we can all see he was frustrated but like I said before, we don't even know what on earth exactly he was exactly frustrated about. If he was actually doing what you said, then fair enough. But if not, then what? For all we know, he could actually be complaining about something else. There is not even a single proof to substantiate your claim. Your assessment of the situation is merely an interpretation and yet it is treated as some sort of fact that Mata's frustration is seen as an indication of challenging Mourinho's decision and people being so quick to take up the moral high ground and pass judgment. There is a clear difference here of just being unhappy and moaning and actually challenging the decision made.

As for blanking the boss, were there even replays that showed the whole incident of that substitution or is that merely another interpretation assumed as a fact because of pictures him walking past Mourinho without looking at him? It's not as if Mourinho offered to shake his hand or wanted to pat him on the back and Mata completely ignored it. If we want to talk this whole blanking the boss thing because he didn't make contact with Mourinho as he went off, then this isn't the first time it happened in history really. Not the first time it has happened and won't be the last and it's non-event really. Has happened before and nothing was said of it but yet this gets blown out of proportion.

People acting butt-hurt on this whole thing about Mata? That point is seriously getting old. Gets used way too often in an argument for people to use and escape from a discussion. And speaking about butt-hurt, perhaps the more butt-hurt thing here is that people are completely going over 'butt-hurt' on this whole incident that happened yesterday.

How do you even know he is not happy with himself? Have you spoken to him personally?

Fed up of this cyclical argument. If Mata isn't angry with Mourinho, who is he berating? Himself? Not likely.

[Spike 12,049]

This thread is a contender for essay porn.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Fed up of this cyclical argument. If Mata isn't angry with Mourinho, who is he berating? Himself? Not likely.

Train fares went up on the 1st of the year...maybe Mata was upset about that. It's unfair to think the substitution had anything to do with his outburst.

[Mouri_Matic 560]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10548467/Juan-Matas-Chelsea-future-to-be-tested-by-approach-from-Paris-Saint-Germain-in-January-transfer-window.html

[Cosmin 2,484]

Jose saying that Mata trained 'in a fantastic way' today. And that he doesn't want Juan to leave. 'I keep saying that I want him to stay'.

'There isn't offer.'

'We have no offers.'

[BlueLion. 21,491]

If PSG offer £35 million, you'd be mad to turn it down. £11 million profit from the original sale.

[The Mak 4,459]

Judging by this article, it would seem Mata felt like he was doing everything he could/was told and that is why he felt aggrieved.

I also find it funny when people said his defensive contribution was pathetic, 3/4 tackles in his own half:

Maybe its not outstanding, but its certainly not non-existent like some are exaggerating.

He wasn't playing poorly by any stretch of the imagination, the game just called for a different approach. But surely it is understandable for him to feel frustrated?

Anyway, here's the article.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/mata-had-100-per-cent-pass-completion-why-144117558.html

[The only place to be 11,313]

Judging by this article

Judging by watching the match, there's a lack of urgency when he's in the team in my opinion. It's not about completed passes or tackles in his own half but the pressure put on the opposition as a unit and the tempo the attacking midfielders bring to the game. At the moment (and in that Southampton game) the unit of Oscar, Hazard and Willian move the ball quicker and more directly, and just seem to work harder in pressing the opposition.

If PSG offer £35 million, you'd be mad to turn it down. £11 million profit from the original sale.

I'd tend to agree at this moment considering the need in other areas.

[Shakez 755]

Mata is staying and there's no need to sell him in this period, we still need him altough he probably won't be a regular. At summer maybe, but lets see how the situation evolves.

[The Mak 4,459]

Judging by watching the match, there's a lack of urgency when he's in the team in my opinion. It's not about completed passes or tackles in his own half but the pressure put on the opposition as a unit and the tempo the attacking midfielders bring to the game. At the moment (and in that Southampton game) the unit of Oscar, Hazard and Willian move the ball quicker and more directly, and just seem to work harder in pressing the opposition.

Good job. Now if you considered to read the rest of my post you might understand what I'm actually trying to say.

He wasn't playing poorly by any stretch of the imagination, the game just called for a different approach. But surely it is understandable for him to feel frustrated?

Anyway, here's the article.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/mata-had-100-per-cent-pass-completion-why-144117558.html

Thanks, bye.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Good job. Now if you read the rest of my post you might understand what I'm actually trying to say.

Thanks, bye.

I put those graphs and stats into context from actually watching the match. No reason for you to get all snippy. Yes he completed his passes and yes he made some tackles but not all passes and tackles are equal. The play slowed down when it got to him a number of times and he doesn't press the ball as well as other players.

Enjoy your pint.

[Pizy 18,897]

Yeah, judging by that press conference I'd be shocked if Mata is sold. Unless some silly money offer from PSG came in.