Arsenal

Arsenal & Man Utd Among Clubs Eyeing Juan Mata Ahead Of January Window

Arsenal, Manchester Utd and Tottenham are all monitoring Juan Mata’s situation at Chelsea ahead of potential moves when the transfer window re-opens in January

by
Transfer News Reporter
September 26, 2013

Despite the summer transfer window being closed there is still plenty of gossip in the newspapers, so we’ll keep you up to date on all the latest transfer news. Today, several Premier clubs are monitoring Juan Mata’s situation at Chelsea.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham are all monitoring Juan Mata’s situation at Chelsea ahead of potential moves when the transfer window re-opens in January, according to the Express.

Mata has surprisingly lost his place in Chelsea’s starting eleven this season with new boss Jose Mourinho preferring Brazilian youngster Oscar in the No.10 role.

The 25-year-old has started just 3 games this season, completing ninety minutes just once, and he was left out of Spain’s most recent squad for their World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.

His current situation is far from ideal, particularly when you consider the 2014 World Cup is just around the corner, so it’s no surprise that several clubs have been linked with a move for the playmaker.

The Express claim that Premier League trio Arsenal, Man Utd and Spurs, as well as La Liga duo Real Madrid and Valencia, are all keeping a close eye on the situation and will continue to monitor things ahead of the January transfer window.

The newspaper suggests that the Blues will be reluctant to let him go, especially to a Premier League rival, so it’s likely Mata will have to force a move if he wants out this winter.

The former Valencia man completed his first ninety minutes of the season against Swindon on Tuesday night and while assistant boss Steve Holland was quick to praise his performance on the night, he warned the attacker he will have to continue to work hard when not in possession if he wants to retain his place in the team.

“Obviously a lot has been made of the Mata situation because he’s a high-profile player,”

“The message to all of our attacking players from Jose from day one has been they need to contribute offensively in terms of their production and of course they have to contribute out of possession and defend.

“That’s been the challenge not just to Juan but all of our attacking players.

“In Juan’s case, if you look at his performance here, he made Fernando’s chance and was involved in the goal. Those two moments – goal-making and goal-scoring actions.

“And then in injury time he’s conceded the final corner of the game supporting Ryan Bertrand in the left-back spot, which is how he was all night.”

“Tonight, for sure, we’re very, very pleased with Juan’s contribution with and without the ball,”

“You can perhaps carry a luxury player in certain fixtures but not many and, for sure, when you get to the business end of major trophies, if you’re playing Bayern Munich and Barcelona you need 10 players who can all contribute out of possession.” Holland is quoted as saying by the Express.