Quote Originally Posted by Loony BoB View Post
My only concern with Mata is that it seems he is frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities and I always question when we buy someone because they can't get a game elsewhere. It becomes a question of whether we are looking for not the top players but the next level down. Still, I think Mata being 25 years old with two player of the seasons in the bag for Chelsea means that he's not "lost it" just yet.
I would say he only can't get a game because he doesn't suit Mourinho's style of play. What do Hazard, Willian and Oscar have in abundance? Pace and power. Mata's more of a silky gentle kind of player.

Still, this also goes against your desire for a winger. Mata aint a winger in the United sense - bombing up and down the wings, spamming crosses like it's going out of style. He's a "winger" in the Benitez sense in that he's an AMF who cuts inside. I've never seen United utilise a player like that except for when they stick Kagawa out there. United would have to totally revamp their playing style if putting him on the wing is the goal. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but it's not a change that will happen overnight. On that subject, I also don't get the comments about Rafa not knowing what to do with him because he was Chelsea's best player under Rafa and spoke out about he brought out the best in him. YES I'M A RAFA FANBOY I PAY ATTENTION TO THESE THINGS OK
Quote Originally Posted by Old Manus View Post
This could be Chelsea's Fabregas/Nasri. Why sell one of your best players to a rival who only needs one or two big players to usurp you? I don't think Chelsea need the money.
One theory doing the rounds is Financial Fair Play. If you've got £35m-£40m coming in you can immediately go and spunk it on Falcao or whatever shiny bauble is in this week.