Juan Mata

[The Skipper 20,593]

Pains me to say this but he should leave for the sake of his career, Mata is and will always be a brilliant player but he isn't playing in his favoured position and he isn't useful out wide on the right. He doesn't fit into Mourinho's system either, and we can fetch quite a bit of money for him, so I think for the mutual benefit of everyone he should leave.

[Beigl 1,387]

Im so sad for the lad.I remember his first game for the club when he scored deep into stoppage time against Norwich,I was so happy for him,because I wanted Chelsea to sign him long before.The rest of his Chelsea career was tremendous until Mourinho signed for the club again.He clearly doesn't fit into Mourinho's system.Altough I think Mata overall is the better player in comparison to Oscar,the brazilian is the much better coice for the system Mourinho looks to implement.<br /><br />I don't want to speak it out,but it would be good for his career to move on and get back to spain.<br />

[Jype 6,398]

Was sad to see him so upset but like the final score clearly showed, it was all for the good of the team and no one should have any complaints. He just doesn't fit Mourinho's system and for everyone's sake it might be best if he's sold when his value is still high.

[RamiCFC9 258]

With Jose the club as a whole is going in a good direction, in 2 years maybe we could be as dominant as Bayern but only if we don't sell our top players. Mata can kiss goodbye to his starter days but I think he could still play a significant part in the club's success because although he isn't Mourinho's type of player, he is still top footballer and could win us many, many points if plan A is not working in a particular game.

[Waterfall 893]

I absolutely love him, but he has to earn his playing time just like any other player. Willian has played himself into the first team, and Mata should try to do that himself.

[Cech's helmet 220]

He's a no10. he's too slow to play on the wings. Mourinho should play Oscar as a CM with Mata as no10 with Willian and Hazard wide. Why Oscar doesn't play in midfield, blows my mind. the lad makes the most tackles in the team and wins the ball as much as Ramires does. it's no brainer he should be playign in the middle of the pitch.

Oscar-Ramires

Willian- Mata-Hazard

what do Lampard and Mikel offer than Oscar doesn't? he defends better than both and he attacks better than both. he can be our new Lampard in cm.

[The_Flash 1,144]

He was one of my favourite players and definitely deserved his player of the year awards but its hard this season. Obviously being so publicly snubbed from almost the beginning and at first I couldn't understand why Jose didnt like him. It's going to hard for him and its hard to keep coming in and out of the side to get back to form.

However today given a chance and in all honesty he was pretty ineffective. I was surprised by his reaction to comin off. He slammed his seat down.

Then worse for him the TWO people who replace him BOTH score. It's a hard one. I feel bad for him and really like him but at this rate I can't see him staying at Chelsea.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

His petulant attitude when he came off was very disappointing. Mourinho is the boss, and he has been totally vindicated in playing Willian and Ossie recently. Mata hasn't been good enough in any capacity; either in an attacking sense or in doing the defensive role the other options do. Totally backing Mourinho's decision, especially since it is his team to manage, and he made the decisions that won us the game. The club recorded a brilliant victory today. That's Chelsea FC, not Juan Mata FC. If he wants to sulk, he can go and do it elsewhere. £35 million from PSG would be a nice little bit of pocket money for the summer, with financial fair-play and all that malarkey. Awful attitude and and a bad, bad example to the youngsters watching. I thought better of him than that, very disappointed in his attitude. The only low point of a wonderful afternoon.

[Korea 734]

  On 01/01/2014 at 17:46, Alex said:

His petulant attitude when he came off was very disappointing. Mourinho is the boss, and he has been totally vindicated in playing Willian and Ossie recently. Mata hasn't been good enough in any capacity; either in an attacking sense or in doing the defensive role the other options do. Totally backing Mourinho's decision, especially since it is his team to manage, and he made the decisions that won us the game. The club recorded a brilliant victory today. That's Chelsea FC, not Juan Mata FC. If he wants to sulk, he can do and do it elsewhere. Awful attitude and and a bad, bad example to the youngsters watching. I thought better of him than that, very disappointed in his attitude. The only low point of a wonderful afternoon.

it could just be the rain........

[Azpinator 2,325]

  On 01/01/2014 at 17:22, Korea said:

I thought Mata played well....

Just no one scored during his stint.

This.

It's the goal-driven mentality of some people that irritates me. He was brilliant alongside Hazard, had Hazard or Torres scored in the 1st half nobody would get so dramatic over Mata.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

So this is how it ends. Can't see him staying here beyond the summer.

Still the most talented pair in our squad in my eyes but going to work in our current style of play.

Also don't want him to change his style of play since that free roaming swift passing game is his biggest asset .

Him leaving to a non rival side is the best thing for the team as well as the player. PSG sound good for him.

[The only place to be 11,313]

  On 01/01/2014 at 17:49, Volt-Age said:

This.

It's the goal-driven mentality of some people that irritates me. He was brilliant alongside Hazard, had Hazard or Torres scored in the 1st half nobody would get so dramatic over Mata.

Nothing to do with goals, but everything to do with our pace and tempo. Undeniably talented but starting to look like Joe Cole in his last season at the club where the play would slow when it got to him.

  On 01/01/2014 at 17:42, Cech said:

He's a no10. he's too slow to play on the wings. Mourinho should play Oscar as a CM with Mata as no10 with Willian and Hazard wide. Why Oscar doesn't play in midfield, blows my mind. the lad makes the most tackles in the team and wins the ball as much as Ramires does. it's no brainer he should be playign in the middle of the pitch.

Oscar-Ramires

Willian- Mata-Hazard

what do Lampard and Mikel offer than Oscar doesn't? he defends better than both and he attacks better than both. he can be our new Lampard in cm.

Why move our best player when the system is working so well?

[The_Flash 1,144]

Adebayor is a prime example of what I was saying. He has had to endure such a public snubbing including even being sent to play with the reserves. Then suddenly AVB is gone and the new manager has pulled him back in from the cold and has not stopped scoring. It is his ability to come back and do well instantly.

[Korea 734]

I was talking to a lot of PSG fans and they told me Blanc plays a similar style to Jose....

I dont watch Ligue 1 much, but I watch them whenever in Champs league....

However, if that is the situation, how exactly does Mata fit in with PSG when they already have 1 person given the luxury of not tracking back aka ZLATAN.

[The only place to be 11,313]

  On 01/01/2014 at 17:46, Alex said:

His petulant attitude when he came off was very disappointing. Mourinho is the boss, and he has been totally vindicated in playing Willian and Ossie recently. Mata hasn't been good enough in any capacity; either in an attacking sense or in doing the defensive role the other options do. Totally backing Mourinho's decision, especially since it is his team to manage, and he made the decisions that won us the game. The club recorded a brilliant victory today. That's Chelsea FC, not Juan Mata FC. If he wants to sulk, he can go and do it elsewhere. £35 million from PSG would be a nice little bit of pocket money for the summer, with financial fair-play and all that malarkey. Awful attitude and and a bad, bad example to the youngsters watching. I thought better of him than that, very disappointed in his attitude. The only low point of a wonderful afternoon.

If you look at how many players have been 'dropped' or simply left out of the team this season (Azpi, Luiz, Cahill, Mikel, Cole, Cech, Torres) then why Mata thinks he has a divine right to start I don't know. No-one else has given that reaction and the majority have reacted well and improved their performance.

Mata hasn't. Very disappointed in his reaction and he's no fool. He knows the media very well and knows exactly what they will be looking for.

[Mr_President 404]

Love the guy but we are a better team without him. Didn't think he was bad today but with Oscar and Willian we just have greater coherence and intensity. It's a real shame, I don't idolise players but he has been fantastic for us for two years but I think for both his and Chelsea's sake he needs to move on either in Jan or the Summer, depending on the options available.

I think a little too much is being made of his reaction when being subbed off. Yes, it was petulant. Yes, he is smart enough to know cameras will pick it up. But it is a tiny mistake which shows his frustration with his current situation, a reaction that anyone who is competitive enough to be a pro sportsman would have (IMO). I know if I was in his shoes, going from Chelsea's POTS for 2 years in a row having won the CL etc to being 2nd choice I would be pissed off, whatever the reasons were for it.

Anyway, hopefully we can resolve this quickly and positive outcomes can be achieved for both the club and Mata. Just don't sell him to a league rival...

[bushman 2,043]

Mata has been put aside, but rightfully so. His days are numbered, most likely, Chelsea will cash in on him. It makes no sense for him to play 45 minutes, then Jose substitutes him. He ought to ask himself, what have I done wrong ?

Too good of a player to throw his season away, I feel.

[FabHazard 655]

End of the Mata? Mourinho says Spaniard can leave Chelsea after furious reaction to being subbed at Southampton

By NEIL ASHTON

PUBLISHED: 18:17 GMT, 1 January 2014 | UPDATED: 18:31 GMT, 1 January 2014

Jose Mourinho has told Juan Mata he can quit Chelsea after his furious reaction to today’s 53rd minute substitution at St Mary's.

Mata ignored Mourinho when he walked off the pitch at Southampton and then slammed a seat in the visiting team dug out as he vented his frustrations.

His replacement Oscar, who was booked for diving, then made two and scored one in Chelsea’s comprehensive 3-0 victory.

Trudging off: Juan Mata was replaced by Oscar in the 53rd minute with the score goalless at St Mary's

Concerned glances: Michael Essien (top row, centre) and technical director Michael Emanalo (middle row, right) appear to console Mata

Mata has won the club’s player of the year award for the past two seasons and was named in the PFA team of the year for 2012/13.

But Mourinho said: ‘I don’t want him to go, that is my opinion and that is my wish - but my door is open.

‘The club door is open too, so when a player wants to speak with us we are there waiting for them. But if you ask me do I want to sell him, I don’t want to.

Livid: Mata was frustrated at being hauled off and appeared to launch a tirade in the direction of the pitch

Fuming: Mata was seen scowling on the touchlines following his substitution

‘I didn't see the reaction, his frustration was because of the result - we have to win.

‘If we don’t win this game then the difference to the leaders is bigger. at the end of the game everyone including him it was celebrating the victory.’

End of an era? Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011 and has won the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup with the club

That's the way to do it: Oscar came on for Mata and inspired Chelsea to a crucial away win