The curious case of Juan Mata

[Borks]

I'm sure he'd love to sign for us if you tell him he'd be a strict backup to Eriksen.

 

[faze_coys]

I'm sure he'd love to sign for us if you tell him he'd be a strict backup to Eriksen.

He wouldnt be though?

 

[Borks]

He wouldnt be though?

P.s. (as strict backup to Christian Eriksen).

 

[EQP]

I think he will be on monster wages, so counts us out.

I believe given his experience and what he could being to the club a compromise could be reached financially.

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

Unted have a habit of signing very 'nice' players - Mata/Kagawa/Herrera to name a few. I actually love these types of players, but the reality is that they are not good enough off the ball to have in the team. They simply do not do the work that other 'lesser' players do and they are not good enough to be a luxury player at a top four club.

Just thinking of De Bruyne and Silva at City, now they are good enough to be luxury players. I think Spurs under Poch have created a team with workers and trainers, if someone like Mata strolled in to the first 11 without working his ass off to get there then there would be a player revolt.

This type of player was an old 'Spurs' player, the new Spurs does not accept lightweigths. Look at Eriksen, he is one of the nice players as well but he works his ass off (intelligently) as well, I doubt Mata would/could do that for us.

 

[Oshi]

Mata is class, if he was available it would insane not to atleast try to do business.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Two years left on his contract and Mourinho won't want to sell to a rival (Utd were mid-table, not a rival, when they signed Mata), so he wouldn't come cheaply. Also, as others have already mentioned, his wages would be too high.

 

[Always Offside]

Never hurts to ask ....

 

[mark87]

He'll be off to everton for around 21m I hear, a real coup for them. Witsel might be going there too, more fool them. And apparently stones is off to city for 45m.

 

[ajspurs]

I would like him for sure, at the very least he would make our squad a hell of a lot stronger. And for the record had we not already signed Eriksen I think people would be saying the same things that they're saying now regarding Mata, that's he's not really a 'Poch player'.

The only thing is we'd have to pay a lot of money for a player in a position where we already have a lot of players who can play there to effect. Eriksen, Alli, Dembele and Lamela are all capable in my opinion. Maybe Mata could still add something but I still think we need to see another striker (a 3rd striker) or a more direct wide man before seeing someone like Mata.

 

[michaelden]

I'd like him at Juventus, be a good player in that league

 

[ajspurs]

In regards to Everton, I said to someone else the other day that their player never seem to get pinched! Had Baines, Barkley, Mirallas, Coleman etc. Been at Southampton they'd be gone by now

 

[ljinko888]

I would take him absolutely.

It's not a case of him being back up to Eriksen. Mata at his best is an excellent footballer who can be classed as one of the best in Europe. Brilliant technique, smart passer, two footed, intelligence and a great goalscoring record for a midfielder. He does all the fundamental basics to a high level and has that little bit of spark to unlock defences and be a key man. He's not flashy nor physically special but when you combine his strengths in a well-drilled, cohesive unit as we have then he'll shine.

 

[double0]

I think we need a few more proven match winners in our squad. Now imo that class includes at the moment Chadli Eriksen Kane Alli...Lamela maybe

Mata is a technical player who could play across the 3 behind the main striker but he's work rate is questionable... Would I take him YES!

 

[ClintEastwould]

If we really want him I don't see how we wouldn't be able to price put Everton. That being said, I feel we may be looking elsewhere for that top tier class attacking player.

 

[ultimateloner]

If Poch thinks he can learn to press then i would say yes, given the right price.
He has CL and PL exp and is proven in the scoring/assisting department so the positives are at least obvious.

 

[Sir Henry]

He's not a top player, he is a shit player, with no fight, in a side struggling to qualify for CL. He had the chance to come to us, he didnt. His level is now Stoke. (Sorry Stoke)

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

He's not a top player, he is a shit player, with no fight, in a side struggling to qualify for CL. He had the chance to come to us, he didnt. His level is now Stoke. (Sorry Stoke)

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Unted have a habit of signing very 'nice' players - Mata/Kagawa/Herrera to name a few. I actually love these types of players, but the reality is that they are not good enough off the ball to have in the team. They simply do not do the work that other 'lesser' players do and they are not good enough to be a luxury player at a top four club.

Just thinking of De Bruyne and Silva at City, now they are good enough to be luxury players. I think Spurs under Poch have created a team with workers and trainers, if someone like Mata strolled in to the first 11 without working his ass off to get there then there would be a player revolt.

This type of player was an old 'Spurs' player, the new Spurs does not accept lightweigths. Look at Eriksen, he is one of the nice players as well but he works his ass off (intelligently) as well, I doubt Mata would/could do that for us.

Off the ball, is Mata actually worse than all of Chadli, Pritchard, N'Jie, Son and Mason? If not, he'd be a good addition to our squad, as he's certainly better than them on the ball. We won't be able to start Eriksen, Lamela and Alli every game...

 

[Neon_Knight_]

He's not a top player, he is a shit player, with no fight, in a side struggling to qualify for CL. He had the chance to come to us, he didnt. His level is now Stoke. (Sorry Stoke)

You're right, there's no way he could ever cut it for a successful club.........oh wait!

World Cup
European Championship
U21 European Championship
U19 European Championship
Champions League
Europa League
2 x FA Cup
Copa del Rey

Isn't that more trophies than our entire squad has achieved collectively?

Before anyone says he has just been lucky to play in strong teams:

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Golden Player: 2011
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Bronze Boot: 2011
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2011
Chelsea Player of the Year: 2011–12, 2012–13
Premier League Player of the Month: October 2012
Premier League PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13