It was only a matter of time until Juan Mata worked his way back into Jose Mourinho’s good books. The Spanish ace is simply too good to spend too much time on the sidelines. He would walk into just about any team and that includes Chelsea.
It’s still difficult to understand why ‘The Special One’ opted to bench Mata for the opening days of the season. All the nonsense about him not training hard just don’t seem backed up by his dynamic, energetic match-day performances.
Regardless, Jose Mourinho is back on side. He heaped praise on the midfielder, following his display in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Steaua Bucharest:
“He played very good with the ball, as he always does and he played very good without the ball, as he never did.”
This is something of a barbed compliment. I’ve always viewed Mata as a hard-worker and these kind of comments strike me as a cover-up for something else.
Mourinho’s new-found positive attitude may strike some as evidence that Mata will stay at Stamford Bridge for at least another year. But as The Star reports, big-spenders Paris St-Germain are 5/1 to sign Mata this January, Liverpool are backed at 10/1 and both Manchester United and Arsenal are priced up at 16/1.
It’s a little odd that Manchester United wouldn’t be more interested in the player, given their current need. It is interesting, however, to see Liverpool priced up relatively favourably.
I would love to see Juan Mata in a Liverpool shirt.
Brendan Rodgers is building a great team at Anfield. With Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in tow, he’s got his forward line sorted. But I do think he should start looking at his midfield.
With Steven Gerrard aging and producing diminishing returns, Juan Mata could be just the ticket. The thought of Philippe Coutinho and Juan Mata playing alongside each other is a little mouth-watering.
In terms of pure creativity and service into the strikers, Liverpool would be all set.
Unfortunately for the Reds, Chelsea are in a position where they don’t need to sell. If Brendan Rodgers wants to buy the Spaniard, he’s going to have to cough up a heap of cash.
I’m not sure that Liverpool have this money available to them at this moment in time. If they do, however, spending it on Mata could be viewed as a wise investment.
What’s your take? Can Liverpool really compete for Juan Mata?
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Mata, is one of the best performers in the EPL no doubt about that and would walk into any top team in Europe, if chelski let him go, they will regret it immensely… he will suit the way Liverpool play. he is simply a gem of a player Morinho is an attention seeker kind of person, he should put his ego to one side and focus on football. but yes he sells lots news papers.
Suarez + 5m….! Then liverpool have mata!
lfc should sign juan mata in order 2 increase creativity in d midfield and also 2 have a good back up 4 countiho
Liverpool should offer Raheem Sterling + £25m for Juan Mata. Mata would be the big name signing Liverpool fans have been waiting for! Never will it happen though, never ever!