Juan Mata

[Strike 7,295]

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 18,520]

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

[The only place to be 11,313]

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

Isn't that the point though? If you want to sell something, saying you don't want to sell it can increase it's price can't it?

[Stingray 9,441]

Ow yes, it matters.

[Jase 43,479]

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

How can you tell though? Do you know him to be able to tell that?

All we are talking about here is just 'speculation' if you like and there is no concrete evidence to suggest he did this or did that. So, I don't get why some have assessed the situation, treated it as a fact and then passed judgment on him like he has murdered someone.

[The Mak 4,459]

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.

Well that's not what my post was about, so don't be ignorant and just quote 4 words of it without even caring to read the rest of it or the article for that matter.

An Irishman enjoy a pint of Guinness? You're not that ignorant are you Tom?