Juan Mata

[GodZola 630]

There aren't any other players available in Mikel's position (Lamps injured, Van Ginkel injured, Essien done) and we're looking to buy a new player in his position.

So your answer to where he fits is to suggest we radically change the way we play at home?

I agree that we look better defensively, but I think that comes from all 10 outfield players doing their jobs better having learnt them in the months since Mourinho arrived. I just think that Mourinho wants us to play a very specific way and I don't see how Mata fits into that in the long-term.

No, my answer is to change the way we play against the multitude and increasing sides that we play home and away that are sitting back and waiting for a counter attack or set peice to get a result. It may have slipped past many minds cus of recent performances but we have been disappointing for most of the season, agreed and I've said as much before things are taking shape - I along with a few like minded and patient individuals have repeatedly been steadfast about Jose, I have always had 100% faith in him which included the shaky times before Xmas and my belief in him want differ if we encounter another rocky patch, much cant be said about others who like to voice or change their opinion dependent on how well or poor we are playing.

You and others may well be right that Mata just won't function in this team or José's plans going forward, I however feel it's premature to come to that conclusion, my belief is that we will need Mata long before the season is out. I get it about selling him to fund area's elsewhere but what happens if we get injuries or loss of form to key players in his position? To counter that if we had a striker in form where Mata can get his teeth into then we would be scoring regularly and much doesn't/wouldn't need to change, you still have a unit that we will work hard for the end result and if that means benching Mata after a period of time so be it.

[The only place to be 11,313]

No, my answer is to change the way we play against the multitude and increasing sides that we play home and away that are sitting back and waiting for a counter attack or set peice to get a result. It may have slipped past many minds cus of recent performances but we have been disappointing for most of the season,

To my mind we've actually been improving as the season has gone on which isn't at all surprising when you think about it. The players would obviously take time to learn Mourinho's system and methods, but Jose would also need time to work out which players he can trust and which players might not be able to fit in. So you see guys like De Bruyne marginalised whilst others like Azpi come to the fore.

You and others may well be right that Mata just won't function in this team or José's plans going forward, I however feel it's premature to come to that conclusion, my belief is that we will need Mata long before the season is out. I get it about selling him to fund area's elsewhere but what happens if we get injuries or loss of form to key players in his position? To counter that if we had a striker in form where Mata can get his teeth into then we would be scoring regularly and much doesn't/wouldn't need to change, you still have a unit that we will work hard for the end result and if that means benching Mata after a period of time so be it.

I don't know if you keep a £35 million player around when he doesn't fit the system just in case a player gets injured. I actually think he might be FOURTH choice for the number 10 spot (behind Oscar, Willian and Hazard who played there against Southampton) so we probably could do with an additional wide player instead of another player whose best position is 10. The question is whether there are players available that we could purchase and there probably aren't at this time, so Mata won't go anywhere until the summer. The concern there is that his value may continue to drop.

[bushman 2,043]

According to the latest, Mata is being linked to Real.

Oh boy, what a signing he would be for Real.

Set to have showdown talks with Jose, soon.

[Ljpaddock 187]

Ffs I haven't even worn my £12 sports direct mata away shirt yet

[darrus 422]

According to the latest, Mata is being linked to Real.

Oh boy, what a signing he would be for Real.

Set to have showdown talks with Jose, soon.

Well, good luck to him competing with Isco and Alonso/di Maria who are much better suited to the way Real is playing.

Really you believe every bullshit you read without thinking?

[bushman 2,043]

Well, good luck to him competing with Isco and Alonso/di Maria who are much better suited to the way Real is playing.

Really you believe every bullshit you read without thinking?

If Mata goes to Real, Isco stays, but Di maria & Alonso might be gone.

That´s the reason Real supposedly wants to sign him.

As for me thinking about it. I just posted what I have read. Can you think it over ?

[Sidzeret 2,257]

According to the latest, Mata is being linked to Real.

Oh boy, what a signing he would be for Real.

Set to have showdown talks with Jose, soon.

Gonna be a similar story like with us.

[bushman 2,043]

Gonna be a similar story like with us.

Those two do not want to extend their contract, I read. Therefore, Ancelot just might prefer to play Mata, providing he goes there.

All wrong now. Alonso agreed to extend his contract. So another twist to the story here.

[Stats 7,142]

If Mata goes to Real, Isco stays, but Di maria & Alonso might be gone.

That´s the reason Real supposedly wants to sign him.

As for me thinking about it. I just posted what I have read. Can you think it over ?

Will not happen because Ancelotti already said that he chose to let Ozil go instead of Di Maria because Di Maria offers pace and more directness. Mata's playing style is similar to Ozil's so it would not make sense for him to make that move. Those rumours are rubbish. Probably no truth in it.

[bushman 2,043]

Will not happen because Ancelotti already said that he chose to let Ozil go instead of Di Maria because Di Maria offers pace and more directness. Mata's playing style is similar to Ozil's so it would not make sense for him to make that move. Those rumours are rubbish. Probably no truth in it.

it´s just a rumor. I just wanted to spice up your life though.

[zolayes 14,489]

it´s just a rumor. I just wanted to spice up your life though.

trolling again then ....

[bushman 2,043]

trolling again then ....

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I for one wouldn't cry if Juan left. It would be for the betterment of his career, at the end of the day. He's a very good footballer and I hope he makes it to the World Cup. I don't think, on the evidence provided in the opportunities he has had this season, that he currently warrants a place in the Spain squad, so I hope his achievements over the prior 12 months will also be taken into consideration.

[communicate 2,703]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=tacticsandanalysis&id=2463

A very good article explaining why mata does not work in mourinho system

[Jase 43,479]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=tacticsandanalysis&id=2463

A very good article explaining why mata does not work in mourinho system

TBF, think most of the points mentioned there has been discussed quite a lot in the forum. And not too sure if Mata has started 8 of 11 league games this season in the No.10 role. Pretty sure most of the time he started on RW and then rotating positions others in the No.10 position.