|
In any circumstance, José Mourinho's job as manager is to choose the best squad to secure a positive result for the club. To put this into perspective, there is no "Team Oscar" or "Team Mourinho" against "Team Mata." We are all "Team Chelsea,” a key detail that Mata supporters should keep in mind; when we observe how Oscar has flourished as a direct result of the ample play time he's received this season, and the results that his form has yielded for the Blues, it's difficult to argue that he shouldn't be included in the Chelsea eleven. In Chelsea's New Years Day matchup against Southampton, Oscar entered the match for Mata in the 53rd minute of play, with a score of 0-0, and was able to assist Fernando Torres and Willian, as well as clinch a goal of his own to record a 3-0 Chelsea win. However, Mata's contribution to Chelsea over the last two seasons, especially last season, alongside Oscar, cannot be forgotten altogether. The Spaniard is one of England and Europe’s finest attackers, and his quality propelled Chelsea to a Europa league victory and 3rd-place Premier League finish in 2013, as well as the FA Cup and Champions League the precedent year. As Mata is far from a liability on the pitch, could the future see him playing alongside regulars like Hazard and Oscar again? Mata's situation is a concern, not a question of Mourinho's management or Oscar's ability as a ‘number 10,’ but solely in regard to the treatment of a player who has proved himself to be one of the Premier League’s greatest, who is now struggling to maintain form, due to lack of playing time, let alone against highly-competitive opposition.
How should Mata approach his current situation?
Even after finishing the 2012-13 season with 19 goals (second only to Fernando Torres’ 23), the Europa League title, 20 assists in all competitions, and the Chelsea Player of the Year trophy, Juan Mata was hardly a frequent feature for Spain in this past summer's Confederations Cup, playing only 141 minutes in comparison to fellow central midfielder Andrés Iniesta's 375. It's no secret that La Selección, the reigning world champions, have one of the deepest and most competitive squads in all of world football. The senior-team roster is difficult to crack, for even the most experienced Spanish players, especially as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid, build their reputation as the heavyweights of La Liga; players from other La Liga sides, the Bundesliga, Serie A, and of course the English Premiership are at a slight disadvantage.
In the final of the 2012 European Cup, Mata was given his first minutes of the entire competition; he came on in the 90th minute with three minutes, no more, and no less, to prove himself, and he did so, scoring a beautiful stoppage time goal off of an assist from Fernando Torres to seal Spain's 4-0 victory against Italy. It was perhaps not a necessary goal, considering the lead that Spain held over the Italians, but in Mata's case, it was a crucial one. Every opportunity to get an edge in La Roja must be seized. That goal, combined with his success at Chelsea, his impressive run during the 2013 Confederations Cup, and his goal against Georgia to secure Spain’s World Cup ticket in the final match of Brazil 2014 qualifying have all worked in his favor as to making Vicente Del Bosque's squad for the world's largest tournament. If Mata remains at Chelsea through this transfer period without a change, and loses the momentum he has spent the past several years accumulating, the results could be disastrous, especially considering how several rapidly-improving Spanish midfielders- Koke, Navas, Isco, and many others- continue making their mark in Europe.
What does Mourinho have planned?
As any seasoned Chelsea supporter is likely aware, to underestimate or to try to predict José Mourinho's inevitable intentions is an essentially lost cause. The Special One reveals nothing, until his ingenious plans and their subsequent results reveal themselves in the form of goals, wins, and beautiful football. It is no mystery, however, that José's long-term attempt is to build a team of the future for this Blues side. So far, he’s been off to a good start by allowing Belgian international, Eden Hazard, and Brazil's Oscar (both age 22) the adequate playing time and positioning to flourish and work on their play-making techniques. Eden Hazard’s on and off ball movement has drastically improved since the start of the season, earning him a nomination to FIFA's 23-man Ballon d’Or shortlist. Oscar’s finishing technique, lethality, touch, and off-ball movement have improved immensely since last season, during his spell as a right wing for the Blues. However, these improvements have come at the expense of Mata, who has since fallen slightly out of his exceptional, play-making form from a lack of frequent matches. José Mourinho had dismissed tabloid rumors upon his return to England in June, which had suggested that Mata was considered “surplus requirements” at Chelsea. However, it’s apparent that José has chosen Oscar as his preferred play-making midfielder, where he is developing rather well. Mourinho stated in his press conference just two days ago that Chelsea will not welcome any offers for Mata, unless he decides on a move away from Stamford Bridge himself… but does Mourinho just want Mata merely to have him?
In respect to the genius of José Mourinho, many supporters dismissed Mata's absence in its early days, putting their faith into The Special One's strategy, and trusting that the Spaniard would adapt as necessary in response to his demands for improved defensive efforts and adaptability to a right wing position, thus making his way back into the Chelsea Eleven sooner than later. Mata has since made an incredible effort to satisfy these concerns, visibly transforming into a more defensive, driven, and versatile midfielder. During his 52-minute feature against Southampton on New Years Day, the Spaniard left the field for the dressing room at halftime with the highest amount of completed passes of any player on the pitch and the highest amount successful defensive and interceptive tackles of the Blues. Nonetheless, he was substituted off only minutes after the halftime restart. With a number of experienced, creative midfielders on-loan, including Victor Moses, Marko Marin, and Lucas Piazon, as well as several in the current squad, Mourinho must reap the benefits of his squad's depth with frequent substitutions. But when will Mata’s impact earn him a place back on the pitch on a regular basis? Mata will need the same trust that Mourinho places in regulars, like Oscar and Eden Hazard, to get adequate playing time, resume his impactful role in the Chelsea squad, and to maintain and improve his form to be better than ever.
If he's fallen out of favor, why won't Mourinho let Juan Mata leave the Bridge?
Mata reiterates weekly his support for Chelsea and its supporters, and seems as if he would be hard-pressed to make the decision to leave his beloved club on his own. He is the type of player more keen on fighting for his spot as a Chelsea Blue, in what has become one of Europe’s most competitive midfield squads. José is not obliged to include Mata in week-to-week lineups, if he doesn't see it fit, as is his job as a manager. But Mourinho cannot expect Mata to maintain his brilliant form, remain at Chelsea, and hardly feature, let alone against tough opposition. It simply isn’t plausible. Mourinho has stated numerous times in his recent press conferences that he would do much to convince the player to remain a Blue, expressing his admiration for his professionalism, character, and on-field abilities. Unless his words begin to translate into the Spaniard's treatment on matchday, Mata may end up looking to another club before the deadline of this month’s transfer window to continue his growth as one of Europe's best playmakers, and keep a World Cup spot within reach.
| |
Follow me on Twitter: @cassgabe7