Re: The Official Mata Thread

by iNFINITY9910 Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:51 am

With the sun its amazing!

by Shed Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:49 pm

Mata explains lack of first-team action:
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1548944/chelsea-midfielder-juan-mata-explains-lack-action?cc=5901

"After a few days [of pre-season] and a couple of games I felt a bit of pain on my quadriceps and I had to slow down."

"It was something new for me because I had never had these kind of problems, but I kept calm: it was still the beginning of the season. That’s why the first weeks of training were a bit tricky for me."

"At present I’m feeling better, looking forward to enjoy again a great season. The club has entered a new stage and we want to keep winning trophies and making you happy! I’m positive that this team has a lot to offer. My goal, as always, is to keep learning to become a better player."

Mata describing in his blog (which is now officially back cheers

) his difficult start to the season.

by Kick Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:43 am

Thats certainly good to hear.

Hopefully he'll be set for Everton!

by Shed Sat Sep 14, 2013 2:06 am

Mourinho's latest comments on Mata:

"He's in the same plans as are all the others. He's a player I trust a lot and will fight for positions like everybody else … The squad is good, it is competitive and, with so many matches coming every three days, sometimes I will make strange decisions in your eyes but sometimes I think about the matches that are coming and leave an important player out of selection because I want to have him at his level for the next match. I want the players to think only about the next match but I have to think further than that as a manager."

- via The Guardian

by Kick Sat Sep 14, 2013 2:39 am

Sort of sounds like he'll be rested for the Basel game... Neutral

by iNFINITY9910 Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:30 am

Mata should play more IMO. He has not been allowed to hit his true form, sure Oscar is doing a good job there but Mata is better and more experienced.

by Shed Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:50 pm

Mourinho issues scathing attack on Juan Mata:
Jose Mourinho has given the clearest indication yet that Juan Mata, Chelsea’s player of the year, has no more than a peripheral place in his plans, raising doubts about the midfielder’s future at Stamford Bridge
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10324705/Jose-Mourinho-finds-it-hard-to-give-Juan-Mata-leading-role-at-Chelsea.html

"The way I'm reading the situation and the reasons why, in this moment, he's not playing so much are things I can speak about with him, but not publicly."

"But he played against Everton from the start and you can analyse his performance. And he came on against Basel when the team were winning 1-0 with specific tasks to do."

"It is part of the process with him too. It is one thing to play with Ramires and Oscar closing down opponents on each side, and Mata s a No10 behind a striker with his clever assists, clever passes and fantastic actions because he has great talent. But it is another thing to adapt to the way we want to play. In this moment, Oscar is my No10 and, if anyone tells me Oscar has not been Chelsea's best player this season, I'd disagree."

"I have to prove to the fans them I'm good. Now Mata must do the same."

If that doesn't confirm it all, nothing will.

Shocking, really.

by Uncanny Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:12 am

Shed wrote:Mourinho issues scathing attack on Juan Mata:
Jose Mourinho has given the clearest indication yet that Juan Mata, Chelsea’s player of the year, has no more than a peripheral place in his plans, raising doubts about the midfielder’s future at Stamford Bridge
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10324705/Jose-Mourinho-finds-it-hard-to-give-Juan-Mata-leading-role-at-Chelsea.html

"The way I'm reading the situation and the reasons why, in this moment, he's not playing so much are things I can speak about with him, but not publicly."
"But he played against Everton from the start and you can analyse his performance. And he came on against Basel when the team were winning 1-0 with specific tasks to do."
"It is part of the process with him too. It is one thing to play with Ramires and Oscar closing down opponents on each side, and Mata s a No10 behind a striker with his clever assists, clever passes and fantastic actions because he has great talent. But it is another thing to adapt to the way we want to play. In this moment, Oscar is my No10 and, if anyone tells me Oscar has not been Chelsea's best player this season, I'd disagree."
"I have to prove to the fans them I'm good. Now Mata must do the same."
If that doesn't confirm it all, nothing will.

Shocking, really.

I was reading this earlier... Can't say I knew this comment was coming, but would like to see Oscar as a deep lying playmaker next to a dm for cover and mata in a hole

by Kick Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:25 am

I wouldn't call Oscar our best player, not by a long shot.

If Mata was given the chance, he'd prove that he is miles ahead of Oscar.

Spoiler:

by Shed Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:32 am

My favourite part is where he all but blames Mata for the Basel fiasco. Sorry, but if you're a.) trying to protect a 1-nil lead against fecking Basel at home, and b.) bringing on an attacking mid to do it, the fault lies with you, pal.

by Kick Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:36 am

Exactly, That is just silly.

Get your sh*t together Mou. Mad

by Uncanny Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:56 am

I don't think he is blaming mata for the Basel loss, I think he just sees Oscar as his playmaker because of his performances at the confederations cup. But the mata situation is tricky, hope he can fight for this place, he is probably Chelsea's best player aside from hazard.

by Shed Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:57 am

I also liked the part where he suggests Mata needs to 'prove' himself to the fans just as he does. Uhhhh....Mata - 2-time back-to-back Player of the Season, 20 goals & 28 assists last year; Mourinho - 2 wins in 6, one with the referees help against relegation fodder in our own backyard...

Only one person needs to 'prove' himself to the fans, and it ain't Juan.