Juan Mata who played almost 60 matches for Chelsea last season is finding it difficult to get into the first team this season. The Spaniard got his chance during Chelsea’s Capital One Cup clash against Swindon on Tuesday and the midfielder has revealed that he is working hard to adapt to Mourinho’s new system.
Last week, Jose Mourinho criticised Mata for his lack of contributions on the defensive part of the game and claimed that he should adapt to his new system to get more first team chances. The 25-year-old now insists he is willing to adapt to any role he is asked to play. Quoted by Dailystar, He said:
“I have been working hard and want to show everyone that I can play and that everything is OK. In my career I have played in three different positions. In the beginning I was a left-winger, then I played on the right and last season as a No.10.
“I feel comfortable playing in any offensive position – it is better if a player can play in lots of different positions rather than just one.”
The midfielder will have to wait till the weekend, to see if his midweek exploits in the Capital One Cup helps him land a starting berth for the Premier League clash against Tottenham this weekend. While Mata, has been on the fringe of the Blues first team, his replacement Oscar is doing a wonderful job for the Blues and stated by Mourinho, it is because of the Brazilian’s ability to track back and help his defensive colleagues that has impressed the Portuguese manager the most. He admits he has found it frustrating being made to wait in the wings.
“I’ve been training hard but it is not the same,” said Chelsea’s reigning player of the year. “You improve your rhythm by playing games. It is different to play than it is to train.
“It is easy for me to focus on my football and just do what I have to do.
“For me, the only thing in my mind is to keep working, training hard, and improving as a player, and to keep scoring and making assists.
Other news circling around this morning:
- Rumours are spreading far and wide that Juan Mata is being targeted by a host of clubs who might make their move this January window and if the current situation pertains until that, the midfielder might have a second thought about his Stamford Bridge future. One amongst the clubs that are interested in Mata, is his former La Liga side Valencia who are alleged to be willing to offer around £25 million bid for the midfielder.
- Tottenham’s German midfielder Lewis Holty has given a warning to Mourinho ahead of their clash this weekend. Holtby believes Spurs are ready to battle it out with the big guns this season, and they can assert their Champions League credentials by beating Jose Mourinho’s men at the White Hart Lane. “It’s a massive game, for the fans as well. We are playing at the Lane against Chelsea and if we can win that game we can make it a special weekend.
- Chelsea defender who alike Juan Mata has found it difficult to get his chances this season and with all the rumours linking him with Barcelona in the summer window, David Luiz has found his place on the bench. The Brazilian now, has revealed that he is not looking to prove a point at the club. There have been suggestions that the Brazilian will have to change his game to fit into Jose Mourinho’s philosophy at the club but he’s hinted he’s not going to change.“I don’t need to prove anything. Everyone knows who David Luiz is, I want to play football and enjoy myself on the pitch so when I have an opportunity to play, I want to enjoy just that,” said the defender.