Before Jose Mourinho’s second coming at Stamford Bridge, I’m sure very few could have foreseen Juan Mata being sidelined to such a degree this season.
After all, he has been voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons. I think it’s safe to say that he’s a fan favourite. He’s achieved this status through some absolutely sensational performances and his ability to control and dominate games.
But Juan Mata’s influence this season is being deliberately disrupted. He just doesn’t seem to have the full trust of the coach. Roberto Di Matteo utilised him fantastically. Rafa Benitez pushed him even further. Jose Mourinho, however, has chosen to hold him back.
With Roman Abramovich as the club’s chairman, there’s always been a question regarding who’s boss at Chelsea. Jose Mourinho was always going to want to stamp his mark on the team. He’s the kind of manager who needs to exert full control on his squad in order to drive organisation and results. By sidelining Juan Mata, he is making a serious statement.
He did a similar thing with Iker Casillas at Real Madrid. Casillas was a firm fan-favourite at the Bernabeu, but was put out to pasture by Jose Mourinho, who favoured Diego Lopez.
Speaking to the Press recently, Mourinho made it clear that Mata’s no longer top dog: “First of all, there are things that I cannot speak of with you but I can with the players – deeply, deeply, 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 you.”
“In this moment, Oscar is my No. 10 and, if somebody tells me that Oscar is not Chelsea’s best player since the beginning of the season, I’d have to disagree. It is up to him to dislodge Oscar, just as I have to prove to the fans that I am good. They can play together, yes, but when Mata adapts to it.” (Source: The Mirror)
Whilst I can’t really argue with the fact that Oscar has been the Blues best player this season, I don’t think it’s fair to judge Mata by that standard. After all, the Spaniard hasn’t had the same amount of game time and won’t be as fit or as sharp as the Brazilian.
Mata should be Chelsea’s number 10. He’s earned that position over the last couple of seasons. Jose Mourinho’s power play is holding the Blues back.
Let’s just hope that Mata fights his way back into contention soon.
What’s your take? Is Jose Mourinho fighting fair?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Morinho is the man who want to make him visible in this World, I had a thoughts before his appointment that, once he join at blues, definitely he will do the same odd staffs with Icer, what comes in your mind?? HE WANT TO BRING A DEFFENSIVE FOOTBALL a.k.a Analogue FUTBOL at Chelsea. this is the facts though its so weird, we have a pretty of talents who never defend but they produces fantastic sparks, e.g. Silva, Messi, Michu, Ozil,Navas, just to mention few, I think this is too personal btn Mata and Mo. Mata belongs on the pitch no bench, Mo he is creating a very hate with fans, pray to lord just to make him successfully else he will resin very soon, I hate to see Mata frustrated to this level, its bad, very bad. rather to let him just in good faith for his personal development of his carrier other than to hold him while you don’t play him.He transformed Mikel form 8 to 6, which I never see it if it was nice coz till now, Mikel look good playing 8 with his national team surprisingly at Chelsea we play him as no 6. transformation will always look fine if it has a +ve impact, it took some good ages for Obi to become superb, please Mo let Mata enjoy his pitch.
Actually…anyone who knows jose style would have know mata would be marginalised. I posted on a community site on august 5 that this would happen. I was blasted, then banned for daring to suggest it and sticking bye it. I predicted he wouldn’t play vs utd. That he wouldn’t be first choice. That his lack of defensive work rate would meab that in the big matches, he wouldn’t be used. Its a little worse than even I feared though. But then again I never wanted jose back. Hes going to keave the club divided on every level regardless of the success we may have. Hes going to take us a step backwards away from attacking, expansive football. He’s going to marginalize thr players he doesn’t like. Is it any mystery that those who showed such great promise and form under rafa are being marginalized? Luiz, mata, dave, torres (why isn’t he being used in Europe where he plays well?).
Its purely crazy, I was just watching yesterday match (capital) despite of all tacts he has been preaching, personally I cant see something new, I cant see creativity, no composure, no chemistry,, anyway, it might be easy to judge but Mo need prayers.