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Newspaper reports are suggesting that Manchester United are set to bid a club-record £37 million for Chelsea’s out-of-favour star, Juan Mata. Does David Moyes need the two-time Blues Player of the Year at Old Trafford? Can Chelsea afford to let him go? And can the Spain international rekindle his sparkling form of the previous two season’s with the Red Devils?
We here at Squawka HQ couldn’t agree on any of the questions above, so we decided to have a debate, here’s how it panned out -
Sam Long
Juan Mata should not waste any more time stagnating on Chelsea’s bench if Manchester United bid for his services during the transfer window.
After Jose Mourinho claimed that the 25-year-old still had an important part to play in West London should the form of players ahead of him in the pecking order falter, there should be no hesitation from the mercurial Spaniard. The former Valencia man is simply too good to be restricted to the bench.
Chastised by Mourinho for not fulfilling his defensive duties, Mata needs to be allowed the freedom to roam and flourish in his favoured position. Had Mourinho purchased a more complete striker then he might have been able to afford Mata a place in his side. Exceptions have been made in the past for exceptional talent – the most notable example being Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chelsea’s loss will be David Moyes’ gain. The Red Devils midfield has often lacked a cutting edge this season and Mata could be the perfect fit to complement Michael Carrick’s excellent passing ability. Mata has created 30 chances this season, with only Wayne Rooney boasting a higher total within the United ranks, despite the Spaniard only featuring in 13 games.
Such is the Spaniard’s influence, with an attacking trident of Robin van Persie, Rooney and Mata, the reigning champions could potentially return to the top four. United’s failure to field a player able to drift between the lines and provide consistent high class service for the strikers has been glaringly obvious and should be a priority for Moyes this transfer window. A move for Mata in the summer could be too late, with big spending PSG also rumoured to be interested.
In a similar manner to the way in which the marquee signing of Mesut Ozil re-energised Arsenal’s supporters, a proven and established prestigious talent turning out for Old Trafford could alter the fortunes of Moyes’ side this season. Being able to call on Mata, with the bit between his teeth and desperate to prove the doubters wrong, would be an exciting prospect for any European heavyweight and particularly one that is struggling to pick itself up from the canvas.
Jack Watson
I personally think that Mata should stay at Chelsea and not the join the sinking ship at Old Trafford. Mata could be just the signing David Moyes needs to kick-start his Manchester United career but it may not be enough.
Mata is struggling for playing time at Chelsea and Jose Mourinho seems set on his favoured attackers, and the Spaniard isn’t one of them. It’s a strange situation but Mata has shown how good he is by creating 30 chances (second-most at Chelsea) in just 13 games this season. Despite hardly playing, he’s shown his ability and he will be picked up in the summer.
Some people are suggesting that he’ll lose his World Cup place if he stays at Stamford Bridge. I don’t agree with that. Spain have an abundance of talent but Mata should and I believe will still make the squad. After all, he’s valued more by Vicente Del Bosque than he is by Mourinho and that’s what matters when the World Cup squad is chosen.
United are in the mire, well and truly. They have fallen completely out of the title race and are on the verge of dropping away from the battle for fourth place. A few more poor results against direct rivals and Moyes can waves goodbye to Champions League football next season. Is that really what Mata wants or should do? Sign for a club that might not compete in the biggest club competition there is? I don’t think so.
He’ll still feature now and then for the Blues this season, just not as much as he’d like. I think he should hold on for the remainder of the season and leave in the summer. Someone like Paris Saint-Germain will be keen to sign him then and he can focus on returning to the form that saw him bag Chelsea’s Player of the Season award twice in his first two seasons.
One must also take into account the style of play that Moyes employs, often referred to as ‘Moyesball’. The Scot likes to get the ball out wide and swing plenty of crosses in. The central midfielder areas don’t create any chances because they aren’t given the license to do so. Just take Shinji Kagawa, for example: a truly talented attacking midfielder misused by Moyes and he’s struggling. Is that what Mata wants? It would be a risk moving to United as he may not be able to play ‘his’ game.
And who knows, he could get a Premier League winners’ medal this season – why give that up to struggle with United?
