Juan Mata- Age: 23- Nation: Spain- Club: Valencia- Height: 170 cm
Appearances with Valencia/ goals: 176/46
Capabilities:
Creativity: 7.0
Dribbling: 7.5
Pace: 7.0
Work-Rate: 7.5
Shooting: 7.0
Reliability: 8.0
Passing: 7.5
Crossing: 7.0
Tackling: 5.5
Juan Mata is a Spanish international, who recently won the U-21 European Championship and is a key player for his club, Valencia. Mata has made around 176 appearances with Valencia, scoring 46 goals in 4 seasons with the club after joining them from Real Madrid. Mata is a player known for his hardworking style, gifted, excellent dribbler, quick, clever, versatile and also quite creative. He also has an excellent left foot and a good eye for goal.
I believe that Juan Mata will more likely be a replacement for Samir Nasri and not for Cesc Fabregas. Mata plays more as a “False 10”, he’s a player that likes to drift more to the wing and make his runs and plays. He plays more on the left wing, just like Nasri with the Gunners, so he’ll be a like for like replacement. He can also play in Fabregas’s position, as proven last season with Valencia, after David Silva’s departure, became the fulcrum and playmaker of the side. He was excellent last season, scoring 10 goals and making 15 assists in 44 appearances, which is his best season yet, displaying his versatility and creativity. But still I believe he’ll be playing on the left hand side, if he signs for Arsenal.
Here’s what I think the formation will look like, if he plays in Nasri’s position, which is the most likely:
Szceszny
Koscielny/new CB Vermaelen
Sagna Gibbs/Traore
Song Wilshere
Gervinho/ Walcott/ Arshavin Ramsey/new CM Mata
Van Persie
Juan Mata, if he does sign, will be a great signing. Not only because of his skillful style of play and creativity, but also his hardworking nature, he’s a player that runs his socks off for the team and will give his all. He’s an excellent player that would fit in to Arsenal’s style of play and can become a fan-favorite.
Juan Mata is reportedly valued by Valencia at 30 million pounds, but it is speculated that a fee of around 22-25 million pounds will be enough to acquire him. I really hope the Gunners do, he’ll be a great signing.