Juan Mata

[Wilson 358]

Marca have confirmed he will wear the number 10 shirt.

Which means Benayoun + 20mil for Modric

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

I didn't think you were allowed to change squad numbers once the season has begun? Looks like Benayoun is off. Unless Mata is our new #13 (yes i'm aware of the Marca tweet).

[Term-X 7,891]

I didn't think you were allowed to change squad numbers once the season has begun? Looks like Benayoun is off.

Benayoun's future was supposedly being decided today.

[Melanicus 5,208]

Stream of interview?

[Melanicus 5,208]

Any stream of interview?

[Domino- 116]

I think will take 13

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

Photos: Juan Mata - Chelsea player

[chrismada9 1,948]

"I want to come to England to win trophies- and that's why I accepted Chelsea's offer" even better.

That quote I like, but I enjoy the quote I posted better because he says that Arsenal doesn't compare with Chelsea!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Were you in the dressing room? ...... thought not.

He waltzed into this club, took a first team number and sang that song. Particular Chelsea fans just have to flip everything as a positive.

Kalou is a diabolical footballer, zero development in 5 years / Kalou has a great attitude, trying his best for 5 years.

How do you know that, were you in the dressing room? Moron.

Anyway, back to Mata, absolutely delighted to see him join the club, this is a very big statement of intent for the coming season.

[chrismada9 1,948]

"Juan Mata promised no. 10 jersey." - Marca

Sooo, I guess Benayoun will be taking number 16 then... or is he a certain goer this summer??

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He shouldn't be leaving before Kalou or Malouda.

[chrismada9 1,948]

He shouldn't be leaving before Kalou or Malouda.

Yeah exactly! Benayoun had done more for Chelsea at the most able time he played before his long-term injury than Kalou in 4 years!

I don't get why TX has to keep slating him all the time... because he wears number 10, and he ruined Kakuta's development... big deal!! Kakuta has been out on loan at Fulham, and getting vital Premier League experience... okay, not a lot, but a little goes a long way!

As for Benayoun! You saw how decent he was in the Asia Cup! He is seriously, partly the reason why Torres has showed his true self nowadays!

[bababoom 4,478]

Marca isn't always right though, they did say that Aguero was going to Real.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

What's your obsession with Mata wearing No 10 lol

Oh don't get him started on squad numbers, he's only just stopped going on about GK44.

[Melanicus 5,208]

Will someone, please record interview?

[Domino- 116]

And do not deny that Mata comes to replace Modric suggest itself as Harry Redknapp?

Mata is a player who can hang as the wing and in midfield behind the strikers would not be surprised if are right.

[TomCFC 356]

Juan Mata is an experienced head on young shoulders. Such is the poise of Chelsea's latest signing, it's hard to believe he's only 23.

Looking back at photographs of him signing for Valencia in July 2007, shaking the hand of a smiling Juan Soler - the president who brought the club to near-financial ruin - it is a reminder of just how much Mata has experienced in a mere four years in eastern Spain, and how his maturity has shone throughout.

Mata's emergence was pretty much the only bright spot of Ronald Koeman's disastrous spell in charge at the Mestalla. Having arrived from Castilla (Real Madrid's B team), Mata has spoken of the initial "loneliness" of joining a Valencia side beset by egos amidst general institutional chaos.

Yet after being given his debut by Koeman's predecessor Quique Sanchez Flores, Mata became a regular under the much-criticised Dutchman and has never looked back.

During his time in the capital Mata had already had his first taste of international success, as part of the Spain side which won the European Under-19 Championship in Poland in 2006. In a squad that also included Barcelona's Gerard Pique and current Sporting Lisbon duo Diego Capel and Jeffren, he won the player of the tournament trophy.

A year after being part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup in South Africa, he spent this June as an over-age player captaining the Under-21s to victory at the European Championship in Denmark.That said, there is no swagger or star attitude about Mata.

In a recent interview with Esquire, Mata described his relationship with the national team at all levels as "a love affair", and that rather than be insulted by the request to drop down to the Under-21s, he was proud to be involved.

As a real team man, it is easy to see why Valencia coach Unai Emery built his side around Mata after the departures of David Villa and David Silva.

Mata's goal record in his professional career is just short of one in every three games, so Villas-Boas is getting the sort of forward that he has been looking for - a player with excellent close control and acceleration who can stretch the game, but who can equally drop inside to score a goal.Mata has predominantly featured on the left for Valencia so theoretically could provide competition for Florent Malouda. But he is versatile enough to play in a variety of roles - he is strong with both feet and is happy to cut in from the right, and can even do a job in the hole behind a lone striker.

This recipe served the coach well at Porto last season, where he had Radamel Falcao in the centre with Hulk and Silvestre Varela on the flanks.

While their detractors have lampooned the players attracted by Abramovich-era Chelsea as mere mercenaries, Stamford Bridge sides of recent times have always shown a desire and mental strength that contradicts that caricature.

Mata promises to be a formidable addition to that tradition - while adding a much-needed touch of flair.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ll/14618068.stm

The captions:

- Spain winger Mata has represented his country at every level from under-16

- One of Mata's outstanding qualities is that he enjoys being part of a team

- Mata scored 46 goals for Valencia and made 52 assists in his 174 appearances

[tnchelsea 79]

Photos: Juan Mata - Chelsea player

Maestro Mata