Juan Mata

[Superblue 6,372]

In the past this would have been unforgiving, but everybody needs to be realistic about this.

It is obvious that Jose doesn't rate Mata or consider him an important member of the squad, and Mata's style almost certainly means this won't change. Now we could keep him until the summer but his value is likely to diminish further with such little game time (previous reports linked Mata with leaving for closer to £25m). In previous years I would have rather sold him abroad for £15m less as opposed to selling him to United. However whether people want to bitch about it or not, FFP means we cannot think in that way any more.

Forget Mata's talent for a minute and £40m is an insane amount of money for a player who can't get in the team at the moment. And let us not forget this is the best challenge we've mounted for the title in the last 4 seasons.

I love Mata, and appreciate what he has contributed to the club but others have stepped up this season and I would rather have players in the squad who Jose trusts and is willing to use and work with.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Second best? And who's first England?

Germany

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Second best? And who's first England?

Brazil.

You know the team with actual hard working midfielders who dont jog around while looking at the linesmen when they lose the ball.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Brazil.

You know the team with actual hard working midfielders who dont jog around while looking at the linesmen when they lose the ball.

Nah Germans are better - they always get to the Semis or Finals - most consistent national team around in my opinion

As much as I should hate them - I often can't - unless they are beating us

[Christo191 173]

Brazil.

You know the team with actual hard working midfielders who dont jog around while looking at the linesmen when they lose the ball.

Ah yeah them, and not the team who's two times European Champion in a roll And a World Champion at the moment! Don't make me laugh! But Anyway MATA!

[Toli 977]

ChelsTransferGossip ‏@ChelsTransfer 25s

According to Sky Italia, Chelsea is close to signing Mohamed Salah! New offer to Basel: €15M + bonus. #CFC #LFC (via @GugliCannavale)

now i feel really relaxed about this. salah, what a player, my god

[Pascal Newton 33]

Mata is a great player but let's not exaggerate here. He is not the best 10 in the world. Not even close. In fact, Oscar has been doing a pretty good job replacing him.

Who was the best #10 in the world last season? Mata had more goals and assists than anyone in Europe apart from Messi and Ronaldo. He had more goals and assists just for Chelsea than Ozil had for club and country - and Ozil had Ronaldo and co finishing off his chances! Oscar is doing a good job because (a) Oscar is a terrific #10 himself, though not as good as Mata of course, ( has a season in the PL under his belt, and ( we have a better manager who is bringing the best out of him. It's laughable that you think Mata wasn't even close to being the best #10 in the world.

[AndersonBLUE 819]

What I don't get is they have Kagawa, a quality player but sitting on the bench. Yet Moyes buys another attacking mid? And Rooney plays in that position too? Either Moyes is clueless and buying on a whim (they need solid midfielders like Matic) or it's all some grand master plan. Hope utd rot in 7th for the rest of their days.

[Christo191 173]

Nah Germans are better - they always get to the Semis or Finals - most consistent national team around in my opinion

As much as I should hate them - I often can't - unless they are beating us

If you reach the semis you are consistent and the strongest, but if you actually win the trophies like three in roll you are the weaker! Again sorry for derealing but I can't just overstep noncence! MATA!

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Nah Germans are better - they always get to the Semis or Finals - most consistent national team around in my opinion

As much as I should hate them - I often can't - unless they are beating us

Fair point

Ah yeah them, and not the team who's two times European Champion in a roll And a World Champion at the moment! Don't make me laugh! But Anyway MATA!

Even then we are the reason Mata saw the pitch during the time for those awards.

To act like we have wronged him is simply wrong.

[OnePound 22]

Brazil and Germany.

Argentina.

You forgot about Poland and North Korea.

[sdrcfc 461]

What the fuck I want Mata, not Salah.

[sdrcfc 461]

We only buy players who score against us...

Messi won't be coming then!

[The Chels 2,502]

Perhaps the board were so willing to sell because of FFP. I can just imagine, though, that UEFA will end up not enforcing it (they're currently being taken to court by the 'Bosman' lawyer over it) or that clubs will find ways around it, like PSG and Man City by whatever means such as sponsoring themselves. It would hurt a lot more knowing that we sold him to United when we could actually have been okay with taking a hit on the transfer fee.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Salad would be a ridiculous buy IMO. I know Jose wants his inside forward right winger but surely we can do better than that.