Mata Appreciation Thread

[Gil]

Cazorla has been getting all the plaudits this season and rightly so but Mata has been slightly better IMO.

Since the last International break he's had 4 goals and 6 assists in just 5 games.

[_LMG_10_]

I saw a couple nice flicks from him today. 1 of them resulted in an assist

[chinomaster182]

he had a goat through ball and assist today

Mata

[Rev]

Think this season he'll explode, he knows the leagues now, no reason for him to stumble or flop..

The thing is that Cazorla vs Mata isn't really a fair comparison imho.
Cazorla's the only one in our team who bears the burden of creativity.

While this can be positive, since we play through him, his job also gets tougher with team's being more conscious of him.

No way I'm belittling Mata's achievements, to stand out with the likes of Hazard and Oscar in the same team is no small feat.

Both players are exceptionally talented in what they do.

It really shows how Spain's midfield is stocked with talent with these guys being bit-part players in their national setups.

[urbaNRoots]

Mata has been great this season aswell as last season. Hope he doesn't continue like this

[Onyx]

Cazorla and Mata.

2 quality players.

[Soul]

Wow the comments so far wasn't hostile like I expected from a thread made by Gil

[Kick]

My favourite player. I don't think I appriciate him enough

[donttreadonred]

Creating a thread because you felt aggrieved by the praise being heaped on Cazorla...

In any case, I think you have to question what position Mata will occupy going forward. It seems to be more and more likely that Oscar has been brought in to play the CAM role, and Hazard has established himself as Chelsea's LW/LAM for the foreseeable future. That really only leaves RW/RAM for Mata.

In the way Chelsea have been playing this season, this gives him more room to get forward in direct support of Torres. Due to this, I think the direct comparisons with Cazorla are quickly becoming irrelevant. A comparison with Silva, who has at times been quite poor by his standards, are far more relevant. The difference is that At Man City, David Silva is obviously the impetus of any creative, attacking movement. At most, they have one creative influence on each wing (Silva and Nasri), giving both enough space to create and interchange with more direct palyers in the center such as Toure, Aguero and Tevez.

At times, I feel like Chelsea are running the risk of becoming an orchestra with two maestros. With effectively two creative positions/players so close to each other, I'm not sure if their attack will be able to operate cohesively in the long-term. The Arsenal match is perhaps the best case against this concern, but I would remind you all that both goals came from set pieces. One a remarkable strike from Torres around Koscielny, the other a well placed free-kick from Mata. Can a front four of Hazard, Oscar, Mata and Torres really combine and work in open play? Honestly, I can see Ramirez being the key to this setup by making late runs from midfield to overlap Mata, who will invariably drift inside.

Feel free to disagree, but I have my doubts about the lineup going forward, despite the cracking start from Chelsea.

[Rev]

agreed DROR

Looking at Chelsea's fixtures list, the next month will be absolutely crucial with the likes of Tottenham,Man Utd and Shakhtar in there.

The biggest teams they've faced were Arsenal and Juventus who gave a run for their money, while the former managed to f*ck things up .Being optimistic is good and all but the real challenges only await Chelsea.

The next few matches could be an indication of things to come from this young side.

[RED]

Creating a thread because you felt aggrieved by the praise being heaped on Cazorla...

/thread.

[pewpew]

Dem midgets with magic

Cazrola, Mata

[Adit]

Cazolra>>>>>>>>>>

[Lex]

We could have had both Mata and Cazorla

[DuringTheWar]

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/arsenal-star-praises-unlucky-chelsea-compatriot

[LeBéninois]

We could have had both Mata and Cazorla

we could have had so many players

yaya was willing to play with us as Kolo was still there and Pep was benchong him

[Lex]

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/arsenal-star-praises-unlucky-chelsea-compatriot

Mata was the match-winner when Chelsea travelled to Emirates Stadium a few weeks ago, setting up the first and scoring the second in a 2-0 win for Roberto di Matteo’s side.

Givemefootball? Givemeaccuratejournalism

[Gil]

My personal favourite for PFA player of the year. Incredible football player.

[REWB]

We could have had both Mata and Cazorla

not really, if we had gotten mata i dont think wenger would have spent more money and gone for cazorla. you know how we are.

[Gil]

11 goals and 13 assists at the halfway point of the season!

Hopefully he can make it 20/20 this year. Best AM in England.

[Blue Barrett]

Already one goal shy of his total goal tally last season. He had 12/22 last season. Well on his way to beating both marks. GOAT AM

[lszanto]

Already one goal shy of his total goal tally last season. He had 12/22 last season. Well on his way to beating both marks. GOAT AM

His finishing has improved vastly since last season, wouldn't be suprised to see him hit 20 or so.

[Gil]

[Tomwin Lannister]

Already one goal shy of his total goal tally last season. He had 12/22 last season. Well on his way to beating both marks. GOAT AM

His finishing has improved vastly since last season, wouldn't be suprised to see him hit 20 or so.

Will be lucky to hit 20 apps this season

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Probably the only thing he did all game lmao

Ba the Chelsea savior

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