Juan Mata

Player Profile: Juan Mata

Juan Manuel Mata is the “creative spark” at Chelsea. He started his career at Real Oviedo, and stayed there for 3 years before joining Real Madrid at age 15. He switched to Castilla in 2006=2007 and was givien the number 34 shirt in the first team. He then signed for Valencia CF after failing to break into Madrid’s main squad. On 20th March 2008, he scored twice in the Copa del Rey semifinal match against FC Barcelona to help Valencia reach the final against Getafe CF, where he scored and Valencia won the trophy.

On 21 August 2011, Valencia announced they had agreed a £23.5 million fee for the transfer of Mata to Premier League club Chelsea, subject to a medical. On 24 August 2011, Mata signed a five-year deal with Chelsea. He revealed that Fernando Torres helped persuade him to move to Stamford Bridge.

Mata made his debut against Norwich City, where he scored in stoppage time after coming on as a substitute. He then made his Champions League debut for Chelsea, where he scored once again in stoppage time to help Chelsea defeat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0. With the coming of Roberto Di Matteo is the manager, Mata was shifted to a central role where he is more effective than the left wing. Juan Mata went on to pick the MOTM in the FA Cup final win against Liverpool after assisting the first goal.

The fans then voted him as the club’s Player of the Year. In the Champions League final against German side , Bayern Munich, Mata took the corner which Drogba headed in as the decisive equaliser. Mata won the Premier League Player of the month award for October 2012.

Strengths – Quick, creative and someone who ever striker dreams of playing in front of.

Weakness – His ability to defend is poor. Can draw many fouls if given defensive duties.

Career high – Winning the Champions League was very emotional for him as his perfomances were pivotal to the victory. The corner he swung in was met by Didier who equalised.

Career low – Failing to break into the Real Madrid first-team .

Quotes – “I happen to think that Mata is a very special player ” – Graham Hunter

Trivia – He is studying for two degrees at a university in Madrid as he plays for Chelsea