Jose Mourinho should include Juan Mata to get much-needed flair on the pitch

Chelsea fans hold up a sign for Jose Mourinho, manager of Chelsea

The Premier League is accepted as one of the best leagues in the world. It is also known as one of the most controversial. A major decision by a manager of clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal affects more people living in Timbucktoo and almost as many in India.

Therefore, it is no surprise that when Jose Mourinho (Chelsea’s Portuguese Zorro) decided to drop Juan Mata (Chelsea’s best player in the last two seasons), it caused a noise similar to that of a huge splash across the globe.

Chelsea fans from Russia to London to Delhi and wherever have had a say on the matter. Some cite Mourinho’s reasoning (more on that later), some involve Oscar’s form while the others make an expression similar to that of Cristiano Ronaldo after Messi gets the Ballon D’ Or every season.

Now Mourinho was very honest and forthcoming when asked about the reasons. He said, ‘“Juan has to learn how to play in the way I want to play. He has to be more consistent and participate more when the team lose the ball. It is not his fault, it is just a consequence of the way he has played in the last few years.”

Since he arrived at Chelsea, the club has played very defensive football and with a low block all the time. The team was playing with two lines of four and playing counter attack football. Juan has fantastic quality and is very intelligent in the way he uses the ball. Now the situation is completely different.

What he means to say is that Mata needs to work more for the team, he needs to put in a defensive shift and learn how to maintain a high level of stamina through games. Mata has always had exceptional vision and range in his passing, what Mourinho wants him to do is hybridise himself to the current order. In fact, Mourinho has had quite a history with players who do not mould according to his wishes.

Be it Adrian Mutu during his first reign at Chelsea, Mario Balotelli at Inter, Ramos and Casillas at Madrid or Mata this time around, Mourinho always picks on players, some like Ramos lift themselves to do better, while those like Adrian Mutu break.

For all the talk surrounding Mata, one thing has to be recognised, Oscar is doing a very good job in the number ‘10’ position. In fact, he is brilliant. He is a tireless runner, good passer, quick mover and finishes well. Hard as it may sound to Chelsea fans, in cold and simple logic, Oscar is a better option(not player) than Mata for Mourinho.

But is there not a case for Mata being given a chance to run the show? As he showed us the last two seasons, when in charge, he was unstoppable and single-handedly won games for Chelsea. Mata has a better first touch, close control and dribbling skills than his Brazilian teammate. Also with Mata running the show, there is a case for better creation of chances.

But Mourinho is spoilt with choices and has the luxury of making the Spaniard quartista sit on the bench. But how it would affect his club and the player’s career is something that remains to be seen.