Ex-Chelsea star thinks Juan Mata is not Premier League material

Juan Mata

Frank Leboeuf has claimed that Jose Mourinho was correct to offload Juan Mata from Chelsea, as the midfield schemer was not prepared to do the work for the team.

Mata was sold to Premier League rivals Manchester United for £37million in January, with many curious as to why Mourinho had continued to overlook a player who had been Chelsea’s player of the season for two seasons on the trot following his move from Valencia.

But the former Chelsea defender backed Mourinho’s decision to offload the Spaniard, as he feels Mata does not have the work ether that Mourinho desires from his players.

The World Cup winning centre-back told reporters, “I’ve never been a big fan of Juan Mata.

“I think he’s a fantastic player, but I think he doesn’t suit English football. I guess Chelsea tried to find the new (Gianfranco) Zola, but Zola was much more powerful than Mata. Mata is a little bit light.

“I think Mourinho realised that and that is why he bought Willian, because he has a little bit of Zola. Not as big as Zola, but strong skillful, works really hard for the team and can defend.

“With (Eden) Hazard, Oscar and Willian, it is an armada. You don’t know where to look, because you know you are going to struggle at some point.”

Leboeuf has a point, as Willian has made 15 defensive actions including ten interceptions this season. Mata has made just five defensive actions in total in 1000 minutes of football.