Juan Mata as a Striker?

[Stingray 9,441]

Alternating being the key word there. He has played at CAM at various stages of the game and has a tendency to drift central but never had a good run at CAM

True! He should though ... Against Basel he showed for the first time what he can do in that role (he was a real CAM there).

[Ronaldo 28]

how come I only remember him playing once as a cam.

[Thor 2,745]

The original poster can't be serious putting Mata in the top 5 players in the world? Are you serious? We're all die hard Chelsea fans here but most of us can admit hes not, or close for that matter. In fact, hes not even the best player on our team, Hazard is. He probably wasn't our 2nd best player this season either...

As to answer the question; exactly what everyone else has said. He lacks the qualities needed to be the striker. Not great at holding the ball, isn't physical and lacks pace just to name a few.

[Ronaldo 28]

Quite the random statement there, mate....

I think the majority of this forum agrees Hazard is a great number 10 + agree on the number 9 statement.

So no, i dont get what you say.

How can people say he's a great 10 when he has played one game there? I don't watch Belgium, so I can't comment on his status there.

[Strike 7,531]

True! He should though ... Against Basel he showed for the first time what he can do in that role (he was a real CAM there).

The thing is Hazard is good even on the wing and Mata is not. For such a great player, Mata is a tactical liability

[mediator 2,026]

How can people say he's a great 10 when he has played one game there? I don't watch Belgium, so I can't comment on his status there.

He played for Lille as nb 10. He played for us in pre-season and at the begin of the regular season as nb 10. And against Basel. It's his best position btw

[Stingray 9,441]

How can people say he's a great 10 when he has played one game there? I don't watch Belgium, so I can't comment on his status there.

He has played three for sure. Also quite a couple where they (he and Mata) switched roles during Dimatteo's reign ...

[Stingray 9,441]

He played for Lille as nb 10. He played for us in pre-season and at the begin of the regular season as nb 10. And against Basel. It's his best position btw

This. It is his best role. Also his preferred one.

[mediator 2,026]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2149760/Eden-Hazard-wants-teams-No-10.html

[Weckerz 3,781]

How can people say he's a great 10 when he has played one game there? I don't watch Belgium, so I can't comment on his status there.

Do you think Hazard magically popped up at Chelsea? He's played at a different team before us you know, winning consecutive player of the year awards etc

[Stingray 9,441]

Do you think Hazard magically popped up at Chelsea? He's played at a different team before us you know, winning consecutive player of the year awards etc

That mental image made me laugh so hard:

Pop pop pop pop pop, wwwwwoooooooooops there he is!!

[Jase 43,479]

Square pegs in round hole...

[Jase 43,479]

Mata a striker for Spain

It's just a classification of his position in the squad list. He's not a striker or a CF. He's a CAM!

[Toli 977]

we cant really rate hazard at CAM. pre-season is not worth to talk about. in this season he mostly played on the wings. against basel he looked very goodn in the CAM.

back tot opic: no, why should anybody wanted mata to play as a striker? he aint no messi. he is too slow for this position and he would lose his strengths. he has not the pace to play in this role

[communicate 2,703]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that Juan Mata could be played as a striker for us, similar to the way Barcelona play Messi? At the minute, he's in the top 5 players in the world for me, and he has showed time and time again that he can beat the offside trap, finish with excellent composure, But he could also drop deep and help out the attacking players behind him. Next season I'd like to see

Mata

Hazard - Oscar - Schurrle

Providing Schurrle signs. People might argue that Mata doesn't have enough physicality for that role, but he doesn't need it with the pair of feet he has.

Thoughts?

Comparing mata to messi is pointless, the only reason messi can be super effective in that position because he is a dribbler, a passer and a finisher in one player whereas mata is more of creator/passer. He is much better at no 10 where he can create and dictate the game for us

[communicate 2,703]

The original poster can't be serious putting Mata in the top 5 players in the world? Are you serious? We're all die hard Chelsea fans here but most of us can admit hes not, or close for that matter. In fact, hes not even the best player on our team, Hazard is. He probably wasn't our 2nd best player this season either...

As to answer the question; exactly what everyone else has said. He lacks the qualities needed to be the striker. Not great at holding the ball, isn't physical and lacks pace just to name a few.

Saying that mata is not even our best player or probably wasn't our 2nd best is a crime

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Hazard is a beast as a #10 but I still give the advantage to Mata because he's much more intelligent passer. The #10 has to create but should also be able to help set the tempo from the middle, Hazard can't do that. I'd say Oscar is the best at that but he isn't direct or decisive enough as Mata or even Hazard. Mata is like Hazard + Oscar mixed together, the perfect #10 imo.

You look at a player's instinct to see what position he's best suited at, and it's clear to me Mata is the best #10 at Chelsea. His first instinct is always to pass and move, pass and move, killer through ball, killer ball over the top, dangerous crosses, or if presented clinical finish and just great runs all game long.

Hazard's first and foremost instinct is to dribble, run with the ball at high speed, perform quick 1-2s. He's a good player and he can play the #10 but I rate Mata as the best #10 in the EPL, maybe even the world (Ozil is close but doesn't score enough for me, I think Gotze is close too and will prolly end up better).

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Hazard is close to messi role than mata.

Mata is a good passer and normal finisher. Hazard is a good passer(messi level), good dribbler and normal finisher and has speed that messi has. So he is more suited to the false nine in my opinion. Putting mata alone directly beside defenders when he is not strong or fast enough is killing him.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Mata is not a striker.

So no.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Juan Mata weaknesses: Weak, small, one footed, slow, unconsistant finishing, bad leaper - yes, definitely a striker. Might also try play him as Goalkeeper or Centre back, would be probably as useful there.