A Statistical Look At Why Chelsea Can’t Let Juan Mata Leave The Club
In my opinion, Chelsea have one of the most exciting attacking midfield ranks in European football. At the disposal of Jose Mourinho stands the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Frank Lampard, Andre Schurrle, Kevin de Bruyne, Marco van Ginkel and Juan Mata, but according to the Daily Mail the latter is at breaking point and if his status at Stamford Bridge doesn’t change then the Spaniard could be on his way in January. But here’s why the Blues can’t let him leave the club.
Just last season Mata won the accolade of Chelsea’s player of the year after scoring 20 goals in all competitions. His performances were sensational and we were privileged to witness his incredible creativity.
Mata scored 12 goals in the Premier League, four of which came from outside of the box, but it’s his craft in the pockets of space that had us mesmerised. Mata made 95 key passes in his 35 league appearances, – 12 of which were assists, as well as completing 85% of his general passes.
He hit the target with 25 of his 46 shots at goal and won 55% of his duels.
Fast forward to this season under Mourinho he’s played in two of the club’s four league games, but failed to make any real contribution. In both games Mata was substituted off, and although 93% of his passes were accurate, only three of them were judged as key ones.
His form may have dropped, although this is likely to be down to an injury he sustained and lack of playing time, but Mata, for me, is still one of the finest players across Europe.
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