Juan Manuel Mata

[maz]

I wouldn't like Silva to come because he is injured too much, and it wouldn't be a great way to give depth to our squad in all likelihood. Also, imo Silva is too similar to Iniesta. I like Silva a lot and I really wanted us to sign him before, but with the emergence of Mata my opinion has gradually changed. It's a question of style and system, and perhaps potential injuries too - but in terms of quality both are right up there.

I agree, his injuries is a massive downside, and therefore diegomessi is right that mata would be a better investment. But as for the p4p player, its silva for me.

Silva is similar to iniesta, except he is left footed. Which is exactly what suits us perfectly. Messi needs to be rested much more next season, and im worried about henry losing his desire to do anything good. Silva can be what iniesta was in 05-08 which was a player that can play in many positions and be excellent.

 

[Metaphysical]

for all of silva's "injury problems" he's played 40+ appearance seasons before this last campaign where he kept picking up knocks.

 

[maz]

If we sign mata i wouldn't be disappointed.

 

[JALJM]

I wouldn't complain about either...Mata is more of a goal-scoring threat, Silva is more of a playmaker. Mata would likely be cheaper though...and he's ex-castilla, which always sends a little bit of a F-you to Madrid .

 

[beef-supreme]

I agree, his injuries is a massive downside, and therefore diegomessi is right that mata would be a better investment. But as for the p4p player, its silva for me.

Silva is similar to iniesta, except he is left footed. Which is exactly what suits us perfectly. Messi needs to be rested much more next season, and im worried about henry losing his desire to do anything good. Silva can be what iniesta was in 05-08 which was a player that can play in many positions and be excellent.

Yes I see your point, well I think that because of continuity, Mata would be more suited to Pep's system. Although Silva would be a perfect way to make up for all of the matches where Messi will be rested, though it would relegate Pedro out of the Barca squad for sure.
Let's just say that I'd be happy with either one, although I'd be more confident in Mata.

I wouldn't complain about either...Mata is more of a goal-scoring threat, Silva is more of a playmaker. Mata would likely be cheaper though...and he's ex-castilla, which always sends a little bit of a F-you to Madrid .

Eto'o no. 2!

 

[Warik]

Exactly!

Silva could play in CM also if we want to rest Iniesta or Xavi. And Warik, I think I've watched all Valencia games for the last couple of years, you don't have to tell me about 'reputation'. It's just my opinion that we can not depend on Mata like we can on Ribery, Silva or Villa for the left wing. We have the best players on all positions (Valdes, Abidal and Marquez are maybe a little bit behind). The left wing is the only position we need to spend some money on.
But I do think that Mata is a really good player though. But just as Maz says, he could only play our left wing and maybe (just maybe) the right.

How can you depend on Silva with his injury record? you can't...nor should we bring in a 40-50 million euro striker and shove him out on the left. Villa has never played on the left wing, and its not as if its simple, it took Henry a long while to come to terms with that position and he has always had the tendency to drift left...Villa doesn't. Buying Villa for the LW is like buying 50 millions worth of square peg and trying to shove it into a round hole.

Mata would be the perfect replacement for Messi on the right if he got injured. He's quicker than Silva, can get past his man more than Silva not to mention, like Messi, he would be cutting in onto his preferred left foot (Mata has played RW for the U-21's in the past to good effect, not to mention excelling as an AM/SS for Real). Mata would suit our attack infinitely better than Silva tbh. Now, buying Silva as a CM to alternate with Iniesta is one thing...but we aren't taking about a CM, we are talking about the LW, and Mata is infinitely better than Silva in that position.

I'm sorry but I do think its reputation. People who say they watch Valencia and still think Silva is better across the board than Mata are either not truly watching the games, or are being fooled by reputations with Silva being the bigger name.

 

[beef-supreme]

Yes, what Warik says about the reputation issue makes sense. Silva rose to stardom when Valencia were a lot better off, playing in the CL. Like the long-range bomb Silva scored against Chelsea for example. It really boosted his reputation. However, over the past 2 years Valencia have been in gradual decline and in that way, Mata's rise has happened at the wrong moment. Well, not for Barca if we manage to sign him, because theoretically we should be able to get him at a cheaper price.

 

[maz]

I dont know. Im not going on reputation, im going on what ive seen of both players.

 

[ZenI]

How can you depend on Silva with his injury record? you can't...nor should we bring in a 40-50 million euro striker and shove him out on the left. Villa has never played on the left wing, and its not as if its simple, it took Henry a long while to come to terms with that position and he has always had the tendency to drift left...Villa doesn't. Buying Villa for the LW is like buying 50 millions worth of square peg and trying to shove it into a round hole.

Mata would be the perfect replacement for Messi on the right if he got injured. He's quicker than Silva, can get past his man more than Silva not to mention, like Messi, he would be cutting in onto his preferred left foot (Mata has played RW for the U-21's in the past to good effect, not to mention excelling as an AM/SS for Real). Mata would suit our attack infinitely better than Silva tbh. Now, buying Silva as a CM to alternate with Iniesta is one thing...but we aren't taking about a CM, we are talking about the LW, and Mata is infinitely better than Silva in that position.

I'm sorry but I do think its reputation. People who say they watch Valencia and still think Silva is better across the board than Mata are either not truly watching the games, or are being fooled by reputations with Silva being the bigger name.

First of all, I never thought of Silva as a 'big' name like lets say CR, Ibra or Kaka. I agree that he's injury prone, and that is a problem. And I do base my choice on Silvas last 2-3 seasons. And yes, Mata has been playing very good for Valencia this season.

But it's not easy cause' we still don't know if we will buy a CM backup, if Eto'o stays or if we are going after a DM and play Busquets as backup for CM. These are variables that only Txiki and Pep know atm. When more pieces fall into place it will be easier to argue if this or that player fits our needs best.

Anyway, it's hard discussing this matter cause' you seem to be very sure that Mata is the best option for our left wing (or at least a better choice than Silva). But playing against Getafe or Deportivo is one thing, CL is another. And I just haven't seen enough of Mata on the 'big' stages yet. Just by looking at Confed it's obvious Mata has some more work to do before he could be a starter for us.

 

[Warik]

First of all, I never thought of Silva as a 'big' name like lets say CR, Ibra or Kaka. I agree that he's injury prone, and that is a problem. And I do base my choice on Silvas last 2-3 seasons. And yes, Mata has been playing very good for Valencia this season.

But it's not easy cause' we still don't know if we will buy a CM backup, if Eto'o stays or if we are going after a DM and play Busquets as backup for CM. These are variables that only Txiki and Pep know atm. When more pieces fall into place it will be easier to argue if this or that player fits our needs best.

Anyway, it's hard discussing this matter cause' you seem to be very sure that Mata is the best option for our left wing (or at least a better choice than Silva). But playing against Getafe or Deportivo is one thing, CL is another. And I just haven't seen enough of Mata on the 'big' stages yet. Just by looking at Confed it's obvious Mata has some more work to do before he could be a starter for us.

You can't base a player on the odd start for Spain in the Confederations Cup...people have good & bad performances in tournaments all the time...Bojan has played crap in the U-21's...i'd hardly play that means he's not good enough to be in our squad, or even our team, i'd instead look towards the performances he made against Mallorca and Depor, the teams you say performance dont matter against, but teams like them make up the vast majority of the calendar, and are probably the most important games...You cant win a championship winning just against Real, Villarreal and Sevilla, you win it against the Depor's and Mallorca's...

So Mata's performances in the Confed cup which have hardly been aweful doesn't mean anything about how good he is. Silva hasn't been very good there either, so if your going to say Mata isn't ready, neither is Silva...Plus Silva came in in a top Valencia team...and has declined with that team whilst Mata and Villa have kept firing even when the team was playing shit. Silva hasn't improved since his goal against Chelsea 3-4 years ago...and thats something most people would admit to...

If I am for Mata, you are equally for Silva tbh, pointing to Mata's confederation cup performances but ignoring Silva's ones which arguably have been worse...They are both very good players, but its down to what we need, we do seem to want a LW to at least rotate with Henry...and for that Mata suites us alot more than Silva does, he's quick, direct and deadly infront of goal, everything people LOVE Messi for, but he also has shown throughout his career he's adaptable and can play a variety of roles...

 

[il pepe]

I would love Mata in Barca. It's actually sad we didn't get him in the first place.
He left Madrid because of the little playing time he would get, and the first club he spoke with was Barca, if i remember correctly....
But would could have known?
Anyway, perfect player for Barca if you ask me. Him and Henry for the left attacking spot, gives a lot of options.

 

[Metaphysical]

how strong is mata?

silva's short but very strong and is able to withstand tackles the way messi is.

from what I've seen of him, mata's not quite that tough which could prove an obstacle against the english.

 

[Warik]

Personally he doesn't strike me as any worse than Messi in that respect. Certainly he is stronger than Modric, and Modric beyond the initial shock of it all gets on fine.

"Strong" is a bit of a deceptive word in that sense though, I think its more their centre of gravity and exceptional that just keeps them up and enables them to ride challenges.

 

[Metaphysical]

possibly but then build and strength do come into it.

rossi's got a low centre of gravity but you can knock him over quite easily. whereas messi is VERY hard to knock down.

anyway, 'tis just something to consider. mata's still class.

 

[maz]

Messi is very strong. In the past few seasons he has really bulked up and he now has a man's upper body strength as opposed to being like bojan who is frail up top.

Silva isn't as strong as messi, but he doesnt get thrown around a lot. Like you say he rides challenges well. Mata is decent, but he definitely doesn't have upper body strength and he works a lot on space, which is great in la liga but against tough opposition like chelsea or liverpool i dont know..

I've seen him play/score countless times and he works well in space. I would need to see him against tough opposition.