Premier League 2013/14

[DonAndres]

Very good win for Chelsea away to Southampton, who while not in the same form as early season, still aren't exactly easy, especially at home. Hate to say it but Mata has been given more than enough chances in recent times and hasn't stepped up, meanwhile Willian has started to play quite well and works really hard. Hazard-Oscar-Willian is probably our best 3 AMs at the moment, though honestly I'd rather see Mata than Willian obviously. Hopefully de Bruyne only leaves on loan.

Mata hasn't been the same player in Mourinho's system and after being stripped of all confidence on the bench. As of now, I don't see much left for him at Chelsea to be honest. He has been under-performing and doesn't get the time he deserves for a player of his class. He should transfer somewhere else in the summer and let Mourinho build Chelsea around Oscar as the #10.

 

[pEllee]

And of course, the fact that Mourinho felt a need to change systems and fail to fit their best player in it is something he's probably going to get credit for. Somehow, Mourinho always gets credit.

 

[DonAndres]

And of course, the fact that Mourinho felt a need to change systems and fail to fit their best player in it is something he's probably going to get credit for. Somehow, Mourinho always gets credit.

It's horrible to the players really. He could've tweaked the previous system a bit more to enhance the roles of Oscar, Mata, and Hazard in the trident and then buy a new forward to fit it all together. Instead he opted to play favorites and stacked up even more attacking midfielders (Schurrle, Willian) and turn everything around for no good reason. It's counterproductive to the team and completely unnecessary.

 

[antonnn]

Well to be honest, he's asked all the AMs to track back and defend more than they are used to, Willian has improved over the course of the season while doing that, so has Hazard, while Oscar has always been like that anyway but is a bit inconsistent like Hazard at times, moreso though. Mata hasn't been able to do it, even when he's had a run of games, this just means he needs a team to fit him more than him being versatile enough a player to be able to adjust to another system. He's one of those AMs you don't ask to track back often and to stay further up the field while others defend, he needs the freedom to express himself, but that's not Mourinho style. I love him and I'd rather see him play than Willian, but at the end of the day you have to play the way the manager wants you to, and if you can't fit then it's better you go, especially when others come into the team and do better. I don't want to see him go but I feel it's for the best, though probably at the end of the season would be better if Mata has that kind of patience. We better not sell him off for cheap either, and I hope wherever he does go he'll fit properly into the team. I heard Inter are interested, he'd immediately make them a decent amount better tbh.

 

[DonAndres]

If he does leave, it should be to a club with a working project (not sure if Inter qualify as that yet). PSG could easily fit him and would be able to pay top dollar, but personally I'm hoping for a miracle move to Atletico, though I know it's not realistic. They need a creative #10 to build around, they are a team with a vision to become elite, and if they earn a lot from their competitions this season they just might be able to afford it as their summer blockbuster move. Wouldn't mind seeing him return to Valencia since they are on the verge of heavy investment.

There are teams in which it'd be great to see him in (Atletico, Dortmund, Valencia, etc.) and the teams he'd actually end up at (PSG, Madrid, etc.) I just hope he makes a good decision concerning his future.

 

[antonnn]

Mata-Costa swap at the end of season. They are the same age tbh and their values aren't actually that far apart, this season shouldn't do anything to Mata's value as he's just not fit into the system as opposed to getting worse or anything. Atletico would definitely be my favourite destination for him due to them being my 3rd team. Atletico would probably ask for Courtois and Mata for Costa though, f that. Mata and Torres for Costa I say.

Oh and for those who were wondering what Mourinho would say about Oscar diving after he bagged out Suarez. He said he deserved the yellow card and that he's disappointed in him. Cop that haters.

 

[The Observer]

It's horrible to the players really. He could've tweaked the previous system a bit more to enhance the roles of Oscar, Mata, and Hazard in the trident and then buy a new forward to fit it all together. Instead he opted to play favorites and stacked up even more attacking midfielders (Schurrle, Willian) and turn everything around for no good reason. It's counterproductive to the team and completely unnecessary.

Weird post. Why would he "tweak" a system instilled by Roberto Di Matteo instead of applying his own? Mourinho has a clear idea how he wants to play and Mata doesn't fit that philosophy of defensively adept, industrial, physical, fast transitional football. "Counterproductive to the team and completely unnecessary" seems a bit overblown. Mourinho is not some clueless git.

 

[DonAndres]

Weird post. Why would he "tweak" a system instilled by Roberto Di Matteo instead of applying his own? Mourinho has a clear idea how he wants to play and Mata doesn't fit that philosophy of defensively adept, industrial, physical, fast transitional football. "Counterproductive to the team and completely unnecessary" seems a bit overblown. Mourinho is not some clueless git.

Mourinho should've built on what was there before by adding his own contribution to the squad and tactics, not be completely rigid in his methods and as a result hurting the team in some ways. What was his purpose for bringing in several unnecessary players like Schurrle, Willian, and Atsu for spots where the squad was already stacked when the real necessities wewre in strikers and defenders (for which his only decisions were bringing in an aging Eto'o and letting Lukaku leave on loan).

Chelsea haven't been better as a team due to his midfield changes and still are weak in terms of forwards and defenders. Playing his own system is one thing, but you have to adapt to get the best out of all of your players (especially the key ones) instead of creating more conflicts on top of other unresolved ones. Had he been more flexible, he could've easily took advantage of the talent and chemistry he had in the trio of Hazard-Mata-Oscar while reinforcing the squad in the areas which are light.

Sure, Mata hasn't been performing well in his system, but it's not like his system has been some sort of giant success so far in comparison to what it was before. If he didn't feel the need to change so much, Chelsea could've built on whatever success they had from last years team and added more. Instead, he's opted for a clean slate and completely enforcing his own managerial style which has pushed out a world class talent like Mata and ultimately hasn't brought in any newfound success to the club.

 

[S7_MUFC]

Any realistic targets? There aren't too many midtable clubs with quality midfielders, any who have those types of players are chasing some sort of target (top 4, title, etc) and wouldn't look to be selling in the middle of the season.

Everton and Ross Barkley would've been a good prediction, but they're a transformed side this season and won't break apart the momentum they've got going.

Top 4 is still a realistic target considering we're yet to play Liverpool at Old Trafford........

 

[Semi-Neutral]

I think by realistic target Robbie meant players-wise, as in who you think would go to United.

 

[S7_MUFC]

I think by realistic target Robbie meant players-wise, as in who you think would go to United.

I can't think of too many top class players who are available now but we should be looking at Herrara because paying the buy out clause is easier than negotiating a transfer although he's extremely overpriced....We've been linked with Koke and Reus but the chances of those players joining are slim......We should sign Herrara and look at Coentrao if we get him on cheap......A winger is also essential but there are no top class wingers who are availiable.............There is no point in holding back for the summer because champions league qualification will be worth more than what we can save by looking at the cheaper deals during summer......

 

[ThwiX]

Looks like Solskjaer is pretty much ready as the new Cardiff coach. He's getting 25 million £ to spend also, by the looks of it. Will be interesting to see what the Man Utd legend can do.

 

[Die Bayern]

Oh and for those who were wondering what Mourinho would say about Oscar diving after he bagged out Suarez. He said he deserved the yellow card and that he's disappointed in him. Cop that haters.

It's easy for him to say when his team won 3:0 though.

The Mata situation is awful. As a Chelsea fan what do you make of it? I know he doesn't fit in Mourinho's style, but he's been one of your best players and is a fan-favourite as well. I hate seeing someone like him on the bench and would love it if he could leave. Can't see it being in the PL as well. Just hope it's not to PSG, though he might fit very well in there.

 

[The Observer]

Mourinho should've built on what was there before by adding his own contribution to the squad and tactics, not be completely rigid in his methods and as a result hurting the team in some ways. What was his purpose for bringing in several unnecessary players like Schurrle, Willian, and Atsu for spots where the squad was already stacked when the real necessities wewre in strikers and defenders (for which his only decisions were bringing in an aging Eto'o and letting Lukaku leave on loan).

Chelsea haven't been better as a team due to his midfield changes and still are weak in terms of forwards and defenders. Playing his own system is one thing, but you have to adapt to get the best out of all of your players (especially the key ones) instead of creating more conflicts on top of other unresolved ones. Had he been more flexible, he could've easily took advantage of the talent and chemistry he had in the trio of Hazard-Mata-Oscar while reinforcing the squad in the areas which are light.

Sure, Mata hasn't been performing well in his system, but it's not like his system has been some sort of giant success so far in comparison to what it was before. If he didn't feel the need to change so much, Chelsea could've built on whatever success they had from last years team and added more. Instead, he's opted for a clean slate and completely enforcing his own managerial style which has pushed out a world class talent like Mata and ultimately hasn't brought in any newfound success to the club.

I still don't understand your problem. How is he hurting the team? Chelsea are 2 points off the top right now and finished first in their CL group without Mata. Last season at this point they were 10 points off the top in a title race that wasn't as competitive and exited the CL in the group stages with Mata. They can only get better from here. We are comparing a growing Oscar with a peak form Mata. Basically Mourinho's system with Oscar not even firing on all cylinders > previous system with Mata firing on all cylinders. Now let's wait until Oscar becomes truly world class.

Not reinforcing the squad in defense and upfront is irrespective of Oscar vs. Mata IMO so I won't comment on that. Mourinho's targets were probably not available at that time.

I don't see what's so special about Mata. Vicente del Bosque uses Silva, Pedro and Cazorla before Mata despite the fact that Mata as a left-footer could easily slot into that vacant RMF role where Silva is playing most of the time. There seems to be a discrepancy between how top class coaches rate him and how fans rate him based on Whoscored stats.

 

[Alik]

I still don't understand your problem. How is he hurting the team? Chelsea are 2 points off the top right now and finished first in their CL group without Mata. Last season at this point they were 10 points off the top in a title race that wasn't as competitive and exited the CL in the group stages with Mata. They can only get better from here. We are comparing a growing Oscar with a peak form Mata. Basically Mourinho's system with Oscar not even firing on all cylinders > previous system with Mata firing on all cylinders. Now let's wait until Oscar becomes truly world class.

Not reinforcing the squad in defense and upfront is irrespective of Oscar vs. Mata IMO so I won't comment on that. Mourinho's targets were probably not available at that time.

I don't see what's so special about Mata. Vicente del Bosque uses Silva, Pedro and Cazorla before Mata despite the fact that Mata as a left-footer could easily slot into that vacant RMF role where Silva is playing most of the time. There seems to be a discrepancy between how coaches rate him and how fans rate him based on Whoscored stats.

What's the win ratio of Mou's Chelsea, vs Di Matteo's or Rafa's?