A loud cheer went up in the away fans' section as he got up off the bench to warm-up. The game was deadlocked at 0-0 in Hull City, with few chances for either team. This type of challenge was what Juan Mata had always excelled at, unlocking the most stubborn of defenses with slide-rule passes. His stature had been diminished significantly since the arrival of Mourinho. Chelsea fans were just about to stat praying for this chance to be the start of a revival. It was just then, when Eden Hazard, Chelsea's new MVP since Jose's return, received the ball wide out on left. He cut inside, past two defenders in a flash, and unleashed a low drive that would have far more serious repercussions on English football than one could have imagined. Mourinho had the goal he wanted, and the diminutive Number 10 was sent back trudging to the bench. Juan Mata would not play for Chelsea again.
The news of Mata's sale to Manchester United has been met with incredulity from the footballing world (and unbounded delight from United fans, of course). Yet in strictly business terms, this seems to be a win-win situation for all parties involved. For Mata himself, this is a great opportunity to re-establish himself into Spain's plans for the World Cup this summer. He knows he will be the main guy at his new club, as opposed to a bit-part player in Mourinho's plans.
For Manchester United, there are already talks about whether he can fit in their system. But for them, Mata is more than just a player-upgrade. He is the big-name signing, which can lift the gloom around Old Trafford, the one which can kickstart their faltering campaign. Until last week, Moyes was a manager who couldn't convince Leighton Baines to leave Everton. Now he's the man who has signed Juan Mata. As for Chelsea, a fee of 37 million Pounds for a player who doesn't seem to fit in the manager's plan is indeed a tempting offer, especially in the days of FFP.
So why so much anguish over his departure from Chelsea? To understand that, you must realize that football is far more about emotions than it is about tactics. Mata wasn't just a skilled footballer for Chelsea, he was adored like nothing else by the fans. Even in a team of Hazard, Oscar, Torres and Terry, Juan Mata was their crown jewel. He could do beautiful things with the ball, he loved the club from his heart, and we loved him back like our prince. Mata was closest to a magician Chelsea have had ever since Gianfranco Zola took his last bow at Stamford Bridge. And then it all started to go wrong.
Even though Chelsea won back to back titles in Europe, their domestic performances weren't good enough by the standards set in the Abramovich era. Jose Mourinho returned to plot a revival, and casualties were inevitable in a shake-up. Chelsea fans hoped against hope, but the harsh reality had started to sink in. The disappointed shouts every-time Mata was left out of a big game had dwindled down to mere whispers, as Mourinho's highly-functional Chelsea unit churned out wins. Mata was now a fantasy player, in a team which demanded as much industry as the finesse. Pleasing to the eye, but no more an untouchable. He carried himself with utmost professionalism in these testing times, but a departure had become unpreventable.
Let me make a confession. I have always vehemently defended the way Chelsea play against the so-called purists of the game. I have relished watching us bullishly destroy teams with Drogba and Lampard and Ballack, and enjoyed just as much when we mounted heroic defenses in times of crisis. But today I feel a tinge of regret, even if only for the sake of emotions. If only for a second, I feel wistful that my team plays a system that cannot accommodate a player like Juan Mata. My brain understands that tough decisions must be taken in search of greatness. But then, the heart wants what the heart wants, doesn't it?
On a farewell note, we enjoyed every bit of what you gave to this club, Juan. But perhaps, we did not deserve to keep having you. But that will not stop us from cheering every goal you score, going gaga when you produce those sublime pieces of skills and grinning madly watching you celebrate, even if it's for our oppositions. We do not know what the future holds, but what we do know is that the Blue hearts will continue to beat for Juan Mata, irrespective of the color he wears.
Adios.
The news of Mata's sale to Manchester United has been met with incredulity from the footballing world (and unbounded delight from United fans, of course). Yet in strictly business terms, this seems to be a win-win situation for all parties involved. For Mata himself, this is a great opportunity to re-establish himself into Spain's plans for the World Cup this summer. He knows he will be the main guy at his new club, as opposed to a bit-part player in Mourinho's plans.
For Manchester United, there are already talks about whether he can fit in their system. But for them, Mata is more than just a player-upgrade. He is the big-name signing, which can lift the gloom around Old Trafford, the one which can kickstart their faltering campaign. Until last week, Moyes was a manager who couldn't convince Leighton Baines to leave Everton. Now he's the man who has signed Juan Mata. As for Chelsea, a fee of 37 million Pounds for a player who doesn't seem to fit in the manager's plan is indeed a tempting offer, especially in the days of FFP.
So why so much anguish over his departure from Chelsea? To understand that, you must realize that football is far more about emotions than it is about tactics. Mata wasn't just a skilled footballer for Chelsea, he was adored like nothing else by the fans. Even in a team of Hazard, Oscar, Torres and Terry, Juan Mata was their crown jewel. He could do beautiful things with the ball, he loved the club from his heart, and we loved him back like our prince. Mata was closest to a magician Chelsea have had ever since Gianfranco Zola took his last bow at Stamford Bridge. And then it all started to go wrong.
Even though Chelsea won back to back titles in Europe, their domestic performances weren't good enough by the standards set in the Abramovich era. Jose Mourinho returned to plot a revival, and casualties were inevitable in a shake-up. Chelsea fans hoped against hope, but the harsh reality had started to sink in. The disappointed shouts every-time Mata was left out of a big game had dwindled down to mere whispers, as Mourinho's highly-functional Chelsea unit churned out wins. Mata was now a fantasy player, in a team which demanded as much industry as the finesse. Pleasing to the eye, but no more an untouchable. He carried himself with utmost professionalism in these testing times, but a departure had become unpreventable.
Let me make a confession. I have always vehemently defended the way Chelsea play against the so-called purists of the game. I have relished watching us bullishly destroy teams with Drogba and Lampard and Ballack, and enjoyed just as much when we mounted heroic defenses in times of crisis. But today I feel a tinge of regret, even if only for the sake of emotions. If only for a second, I feel wistful that my team plays a system that cannot accommodate a player like Juan Mata. My brain understands that tough decisions must be taken in search of greatness. But then, the heart wants what the heart wants, doesn't it?
On a farewell note, we enjoyed every bit of what you gave to this club, Juan. But perhaps, we did not deserve to keep having you. But that will not stop us from cheering every goal you score, going gaga when you produce those sublime pieces of skills and grinning madly watching you celebrate, even if it's for our oppositions. We do not know what the future holds, but what we do know is that the Blue hearts will continue to beat for Juan Mata, irrespective of the color he wears.
Adios.
