MATA: Faces a fight to save his Chelsea career after quotes from Mourinho.

I can't believe I am even writing a blog post like this after the previous two seasons. Juan Mata's position within the Chelsea squad let alone the Chelsea team is under serious scrutiny and the message is clear from the manager, Unless he pulls his finger out, works hard and contributes more to the team, Mata will remain on the sidelines!

For two seasons there has been a debate amongst Chelsea fans about our number ten position in behind the striker. Juan Mata has made it his own and has deservedly been awarded "Player of the Year" for his performances. 

Everything here has been rosy for Mata, three trophies in two seasons including the Champions League and loving life living in London, we all thought he would thrive under Mourinho and his performances would rise to another level.

That has all changed with the following quotes from Jose Mourinho!

Mourinho said:

“At this moment, Oscar is my number 10. If someone tells me Oscar is not Chelsea’s best player I’ll disagree.

I’m not ready to play Oscar on one side as his creation and intensity is in that position. Oscar plays in that position with more quality. I want to build with Oscar as my number 10 and the players on the sides to adapt to that reality. 

There are things that I can’t say but I can with the players.

He [Mata] is not playing so much. I can speak with him but not with you. He started against Everton and you can analyse his performance. He played against Basel. He come in when the team was winning 1-0 and had specific tasks to do. I can’t speak with you. It’s part of a process.

One thing is to play with Ramires and Oscar in the side and Mata playing behind the striker to have a great assist. Another thing is to adapt to the way we want to play.”

Alarm bells are ringing in my ears having read those quotes! This is a concerning time for us all. Juan Mata has proven himself to be "The Magician" at Chelsea. Everything good about our attacking play has come through him and he has made the difference time and time again!.

In all fairness, Oscar has been different class and deserves to be starting in the side. If it's in your opinion as the number ten and you agree with Jose then fair enough but, I still believe we can play with both of them in the team.

Focusing on Mata though, those final two paragraphs of his quotes, he has heavily criticised him. Basically he is saying that in his recent two performances against Everton and Basel, he hasn't done what has been asked of him and it's not good enough.

That final quote from him is a clear message to Mata, he needs to work hard to contribute more to the football team to earn his place in the side than to just come into the side to look for another assist!

What do you people think about these quotes from Mourinho and for the long term future of Juan Mata at Chelsea!? Surely after reading this, you have to be concerned for Mata.

All we can do is support him, sing his name to show him we are right behind him and hope that he is big enough to take the direct criticism of him on the chin, work as hard as possible, learn to adapt his game and playing style and hopefully, force his way back into the plans of Jose Mourinho.

This is make or break time for Mata as he faces a fight to save his Chelsea career. Will he accept the challenge?

Carefree & KTBFFH!