Juan Mata

[The only place to be 11,313]

Because he can create chances, Score goals and equally adapt into a centre midfield role when the two are under pressure. I feel he can dictate a game better then Juan can, and gives us control in possesion.

Absolutely agree. Always felt he could dictate the tempo of a game better than Mata. Juan is better at those individual moments of magic, but I think everyone agrees that Oscar has the potential to produce those more consistently as well don't they??

I can't see Mata going to United, which is good for us because we'll still have Mata, they won't, and Moyes will keep playing Rooney in the role that he doesn't want and he'll want out in the summer.

If Mata was to be sold in the summer, I'd accept it, But not to any other Premiership team, unless its with United with Rooney going the other way.

I don't like the idea of us selling to United either, but I think they need far more than Mata to get back to the top. To me it's a desperation signing. I can probably name 10 players they'd probably want more than Mata who they simply can't get (and I'd include the likes of Pogba, Fabregas, Modric, Vidal, Herrera, Koke etc. who are all deeper midfielders), but they need to sign a 'big name' to appease the fans.

It keeps coming back to PSG making a bid.

mata is widely regarded as one of the top 4 no 10's in Europe. the others being Iniesta, Silva and Ozil. I have never seen Oscar's name pop up in such discussions before.

Oscar would be included in the discussion of potential top number 10s alongside Isco and Gotze.

So Iniesta is a central midfielder and Silva is a winger now?. sigh

let me indulge you, even if these players aren't no 10's according to you, how does it make oscar a superior playmaker to mata. In terms of statistics and eye test (because some people actually have eyes and can tell who creates more and orchestrate play better) mata completely shits on oscar so I would like to know the criteria you are using. is it just based on your personal opinion or some next level matrix.

Oscar to me is better at dictating the tempo of the game. Has been since I first saw him play for Brazil. He'll drop deep and move the ball around whereas Mata is currently more destructive in the final third.

The thing is Oscar is still young. Up until a few months ago people were questioning Hazard's effectiveness but these young guys need time to really fulfil their potential. To me, Oscar has more potential than Mata. I've said that since day one. He is a potential ballon d'or if people care about such things and this is the first season he's been given such responsibility.

But I'll say this - Oscar is capable of being as good, if not better than Mata. Madrid let Ozil go because they believed in Isco, and we're doing the same.

[lionsden 4,689]

Yes. Iniesta is a central midfielder, he always has been, and probably always will be.

I never called Silva a right winger, I said he plays on the right wing for his club, But hey, What would Martino and Pellegrini know?

How do you make these assumptions about players playing in the #10 role, When in fact, they never play there?

False. In Barcelona, Xavi/Toure then later Xavi/Busquets have been their central midfielders with iniesta usually played further up the pitch either in a free role behind the striker or on the left wing where he played through out last season and many games under pep

And in the spanish national team, it's very similar as again their central midfield mainly consist of Xavi/Busquets and Alonso (in euro 2008 it was Xavi,Alonso and senna). stop presenting bullshit as fact. just because iniesta drops deep very often during games doesn't mean he plays in central midfield and is a midfielder.

[Shane 2,275]

let me indulge you, even if these players aren't no 10's according to you, how does it make oscar a superior playmaker to mata. In terms of statistics and eye test (because some people actually have eyes and can tell who creates more and orchestrate play better) mata completely shits on oscar so I would like to know the criteria you are using. is it just based on your personal opinion or some next level matrix.

Jesus christ, I'm not insulting your family. Is Mata your brother or something? Calm down, We're all Chelsea fans having a discussion.

Because in the #10 role, Its important to have a huge attacking influence, but also to keep the team balanced and link the midfield and attack well. You have to be an outlet and collect the ball off the midfielders and distribute it. Oscar does this better the Juan, Mata is brilliant at cutting inside, playing a pass or getting into a goalscoring opportunity and finishing it. Oscar is the one who is able to sit if he needs too, But also able to dominate a game. It's my opinion, and I accept everyone won't agree with it, You should do the same, Just because you believe in something doesn't make it the gospel for everything else.

False. In Barcelona, Xavi/Toure then later Xavi/Busquets have been their central midfielders while iniesta has usually either played further up the pitch either in a free role behind the striker or on the left wing where he played through out last season.

And in the spanish national team, it's very similar as again their central midfield mainly consist of Xavi/Busquets and Alonso (in euro 2008 it was Xavi,Alonso and senna). stop presenting bullshit as fact. just because iniesta drops deep very often during games doesn't mean he plays in central midfield

No, they don't. Toure/Busquets sit deep, Xavi in front, and just a little infront of Xavi, not in the #10 role, Is Iniesta. Barcelona play with Messi in a false nine, which wouldn't give a number 10 much room or space to operate at all. If Barcelona played like you say they do, or even Spain, its Just a 4-2-3-1 then isn't it?

[The only place to be 11,313]

False. In Barcelona, Xavi/Toure then later Xavi/Busquets have been their central midfielders with iniesta usually played further up the pitch either in a free role behind the striker or on the left wing where he played through out last season and many games under pep

And in the spanish national team, it's very similar as again their central midfield mainly consist of Xavi/Busquets and Alonso (in euro 2008 it was Xavi,Alonso and senna). stop presenting bullshit as fact. just because iniesta drops deep very often during games doesn't mean he plays in central midfield and is a midfielder.

Iniesta has never had a free role in the conventional sense. Every player in that team puts in a shift.

In fact he's not a conventional 10 because Messi occupies a lot of the space a 10 normally would. He tends to be a left-sided midfielder in a midfield 3 defensively and in attack he can occupy any position on the left or in the middle. He probably could play as a 10, but Barca don't use him like that in the way someone like Mata was used last season.

Barca are fairly unique in the way they play which is why comparisons with them are tricky. To me though, Iniesta is part of a midfield duo with Xavi with Busquets sitting deeper (but even he can advance into the final third when they're doing that thing where they park up just outside the opposition box).

[lionsden 4,689]

Absolutely agree. Always felt he could dictate the tempo of a game better than Mata. Juan is better at those individual moments of magic, but I think everyone agrees that Oscar has the potential to produce those more consistently as well don't they??

I don't like the idea of us selling to United either, but I think they need far more than Mata to get back to the top. To me it's a desperation signing. I can probably name 10 players they'd probably want more than Mata who they simply can't get (and I'd include the likes of Pogba, Fabregas, Modric, Vidal, Herrera, Koke etc. who are all deeper midfielders), but they need to sign a 'big name' to appease the fans.

It keeps coming back to PSG making a bid.

Oscar would be included in the discussion of potential top number 10s alongside Isco and Gotze.

Oscar to me is better at dictating the tempo of the game. Has been since I first saw him play for Brazil. He'll drop deep and move the ball around whereas Mata is currently more destructive in the final third.

The thing is Oscar is still young. Up until a few months ago people were questioning Hazard's effectiveness but these young guys need time to really fulfil their potential. To me, Oscar has more potential than Mata. I've said that since day one. He is a potential ballon d'or if people care about such things and this is the first season he's been given such responsibility.

But I'll say this - Oscar is capable of being as good, if not better than Mata. Madrid let Ozil go because they believed in Isco, and we're doing the same.

And in my opinion ali dia is superior to maradona and I'm richer than Carlos slim. since you want to base your arguments on opinion rather than facts, statistics and sound reasoning.

So everyone, join me and feel free to make as many outlandish claims and argument as you want as long as you qualify it with "in my opinion".

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Does it really matter though with this comparison?

The point I'm making is. Mata used to play as a winger from his youth level, in valencia, and in his first season with us.

RDM changed him to the center.

Mourinho changed him back to his valencia wing position because he doesn't like to lose the midfield battle.

When we say he is playing bad because he is playing in the wings is not true because mata is not a one dimensional player that must stay in the center of any team in the world or he'll be playing 30-40% which is benayoun level. That was his original position.

[The only place to be 11,313]

And in my opinion ali dia is superior to maradona

Maradona was just an Argentinian Charlie Adam.

[Billy. 2,742]

I dont think he will go united, i think he will go but not until the summer. it will kill me to see Mata go but he is so good he needs to be playing. i think he will end up back in Spain

[lionsden 4,689]

Maradona was just an Argentinian Charlie Adam.

And Heskey is superior to Ronaldo lima and batistuta put together

[Jase 43,479]

The point I'm making is. Mata used to play as a winger from his youth level, in valencia, and in his first season with us.

RDM changed him to the center.

Mourinho changed him back to his valencia wing position because he doesn't like to lose the midfield battle.

When we say he is playing bad because he is playing in the wings is not true because mata is not a one dimensional player that must stay in the center of any team in the world or he'll be playing 30-40% which is benayoun level. That was his original position.

Yes, that maybe true but I mentioned it previously, if we play Mata out wide, we'll only see a good Mata. Play in the No.10 and we'll see a great Mata. He is by no means a one dimensional player but think we can see the difference in his level of effectiveness when being played in those two positions. One would of course argue that he did play there at Valencia and did well but then again, you'll have to keep in mind the different system and approach that they play then and we now. And I wouldn't exactly say Mata was a qualified success when he played out wide for us under AVB, even if he had some good moments there.

[The Skipper 20,609]

And Heskey is superior to Ronaldo lima and batistuta put together

The blasphemy from you lot is unreal.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

If we sell him to them when they didn't want to give us Rooney than we're just idiots. Pathetic idiots.

[Special Juan 28,112]

37 million fucking pound???? Sell him, I'm sorry but if that amount is right we sell him it's a no brainer.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Yes, that maybe true but I mentioned it previously, if we play Mata out wide, we'll only see a good Mata. Play in the No.10 and we'll see a great Mata. He is by no means a one dimensional player but think we can see the difference in his level of effectiveness when being played in those two positions. One would of course argue that he did play there at Valencia and did well but then again, you'll have to keep in mind the different system and approach that they play then and we now. And I wouldn't exactly say Mata was a qualified success when he played out wide for us under AVB, even if he had some good moments there.

I can see the difference. Like in the carling cup against arsenal. But he also had great games in the wings against tottenham and southampton at the bridge.

I just don't think mourinho has told him to play center back and ruined him. (Coming to think of it, mata plays in the wings for spain too)

I think if we had very clinical players in the team who score their every chance like mancity or madrid, mata would play far more games. Ozil played like mata (but he is faster on the counter) but ozil had ronaldo to guarantee 2 goals a match because of far better finishing. But because we can't kill off teams with our poor finishing, there is always a danger to lose points. And this is a main problem for mata to me.

Mourinho can't sacrifice defensive duties in the midfield because we are not clinical enough in front of goal to do that. So this is why oscar plays middle more than mata.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Would Ronaldo, Iniesta, Messi, Silva, Ozil or Ibra get into this team considering they don't track back and win tackles? That seems to be the only argument against Mata it seems.

Apart from the guy who somehow believes Oscar is a better playmaker than Mata anyway.