Next season we will see him show his real quality just where Van Gaal plays him will be interesting.
Juan Mata | 2013/14 Performances
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He got the call up! Delighted for him 
Really? Fantastic news!He got the call up! Delighted for him
Well done Juan!
Absolutely delighted for him. If ever a guy deserves a call up on personality alone
The Spanish squad:
Who's missing?
Who's missing?
Are their striker options so bad that they gotta pick Torres?The Spanish squad:
Who's missing?
Well it was either him or Negredo and he's been poor for half a season. At least Torres has shown he can score goals for Spain.Are their striker options so bad that they gotta pick Torres?
The Spanish squad:
Who's missing?
Literally the most difficult game of Guess Who you could ever play.
I hope de Gea speaking about hoping we don't sell him was only based upon rumours and not something Mata's been told.
Jesus navas who had an injury I think.The Spanish squad:
Who's missing?
I saw a snippet last week, can't remember where, that Barca want Mata and may be willing to offer Fabregas in part-ex.
Llorente would surely have been a better option.
De Gea would be devastated, he'd probably hand in a transfer request
Del Bosque is a strange one he seems reluctant to unsettle the dressing room. Despite De Gea and Lopez performing better than both Casillas and Reina they never got called up and had it not have been for Valdes injury DDG wouldn't be going to Brazil.
Yes, him and Thiago. Also is Negredo still out? If not, then it's madness to take Torres and not him.
Think for negredo it was just awful form, hasn't scored since January or something. A hard worker though so he probably would've been a useful player for them, del bosque seems to stick with his prior squads though.
It's a good strategy for managing a national team tbh. You need a delicate balance between club and international form and experience. Having said that, Torres still seems bonkers - Llorente has played in a few squads and is the far superior player now.
If he starts Torres over Costa though...
Their striker position looks a little uneasy.
A way off peak Torres and Villa.
And a Costa who had to limp off very early in his last 2 games. They'll do well to patch a dodgy hamstring up 100% in 2 weeks.
A way off peak Torres and Villa.
And a Costa who had to limp off very early in his last 2 games. They'll do well to patch a dodgy hamstring up 100% in 2 weeks.
Of course it is but it seems form barely plays a part in his decisions anymore. Koke despite being the best Spanish midfielder in Europe this season (albeit an unorthodox one) he'll be lucky to receive anything other than 15 minute cameos.
I still think he'll play that 4-6-0 formation with Fabregas up top like he did at Euro 2012.
They're guaranteed to get out of their group, that gives him more time to recover.
I see Spain opting for a false nine over a more traditional centre forward again. Mata has an eye for goal...
This is probably the most likely option if Costa isn't fit, though it doesn't seem like the greatest system by any means. It's why I was surprised Llorente or Negredo weren't included - without a fit Costa they don't have a proper starter. Torres is poor and Villa is knackered, while the latter might be a great option to knick a goal late on in a tight game, I'm struggling to see a Spain side with such talent on the bench and Torres starting.
Del Bosque never seems to fancy Mata, even when Silva was horribly overplayed and out of form he'd still opt for him.
Barcelona may well be on an ebb, this lot doesn't seem to be...wow.The Spanish squad:
Who's missing?
Mata isn't someone del Bosque would consider for that role. Not pacy, not direct, and not a dribbler. He'd go for Fabregas as he did in the Euros (for what it's worth I don't think Fabregas is much good for that role either, but Barca and Spain both obviously do) or possibly Iniesta. Although not Iniesta, on second thoughts, because he's too valuable as a pure playmaker to be distracted thinking about providing goal threat. He'd probably consider Pedro for it too, given how effective a goalscorer he has been for Spain.
Couldn't you use those words to describe Fabregas too? If VDB was willing to play Fabregas in that position I see no reason why he wouldn't choose Mata.
I'm not surprised by Torres's inclusion, he usually plays half decent for Spain, didn't he win the golden boot at the last Euros??
He did but to be fair 3 goals was the most scored by any player and he won the award on the basis that he played the least amount of minutes of those tied on three goals.
and 2 of them were against Ireland..
Exactly. Any striker worth his salt should be scoring against a defence including Stephen Ward and Sean St Ledger!great for mata. delight that he makes it.
What a squad. Surprised they aren't favourites tbh
Apparently we can't afford to lose him. Even if we are that careless surely a quick search down the back of the sofa and he will turn up?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-why-red-devils-cant-afford-to-lose-juan-mata
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-why-red-devils-cant-afford-to-lose-juan-mata
I remember a while back against Scotland Spain played with Silva through the middle. I think he'd do better there than Cesc, and you could put Mata/Cazorla/Pedro in his position.
Please no talk of us selling him
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