He started at Stamford Bridge when he was our best player in probably our best performance in the first few months of the season. Maybe he should start tougher games more.
Juan Mata | Official: Signs two-year contract with option of a third
- Thread starter kouroux
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As someone said the club appear to want to keep him at the club in some capacity after he has finished playing, so maybe this is his last contract.
I have no idea what either of those sentences mean.
Wasn't he doing a degree in something that might be useful?
We're the fecking football equivalent of a local council. Jobs for life it seems.
I got the impression from Ole that he wanted to build a more fluid, pacey counter attacking team. I don't see how Mata would fit into this. He certainly cannot play on the wing in a team looking to break at pace. The only conceivable position he could play in that formation would be as a 10/ attacking mid, but even then he wouldn't be 1st choice. Strange esp at a 3yr deal
Does anyone else think as I do that this will change DDGs mind about staying? Do you think its related?
I'm fine with it. Hope it's lower wages though.
Look, he's not going to be a starter and he's good to have around the place. He's also always been pretty respectful of the club.
I have no problem with him playing a bit part.
Look, he's not going to be a starter and he's good to have around the place. He's also always been pretty respectful of the club.
I have no problem with him playing a bit part.
That’s great and all but do we really need to pay a blog writer and club mascot that much money per week? There are qualified candidates that can do that job with a yearly salary as much as his weekly
Yeah feck depth who needs it.
Maybe it’s 3 years because we want some resale value for when we try to flog him to Asia in a years time?
I dont understand it either but hey, what can you do, one is at the wheel, another is behind him etc.
Honestly I think it's what he's like behind the scenes. Sometimes you need that especially with the current instability with the playing staff. Probably also want someone to help the young players - the ones we might buy and the ones coming through like Greenwood etc. At least, that's what it seems like to me.
To celebrate this awesome news give us Pogba at a reduced price. It's only fair.
Yea you are right, our hole isnt deep enough.
A quick google search tells me he has two degrees, one in sports science and the other in marketing.
I would rather him giving out advice then some others. It will be good sensible advice.
Marketing? He's replacing Ed.
Mata won't contribute to depth. He's finished at top level football.
Unless we're hoping to hover around mid-table? In which case wahey lets all do the conga...
All of these outdated players being given new contracts. Seems the main reason is their character. The likes of Mata and Young have been characters in a very lifeless United team over the last half a decade.
Maybe we need new characters?
As a player he's only used as a right winger, so slow and even has become weak in his passing. I just can not see how this renewal is a step in the right direction.
Maybe we need new characters?
As a player he's only used as a right winger, so slow and even has become weak in his passing. I just can not see how this renewal is a step in the right direction.
You said he will age better than most.
He’s no long a very effective player on the football field. His biggest asset has always been his savvy positioning to finish off attacks, there’s no denying that. But these days he normally plays so far from the opponents that there’s no point of him being on the field.
I doubt its that but who knows.
We play him only in easier games.
These stats drive me nuts when used to show players impact on a team
So twice then. Was that the fecking game when they scored in the last second of the game? Anywho, i'd rather he wasn't starting for us.
A good squad option for us, if true. Realistically we probably only need him for one more season and I could see us letting him go after next season.
Absolute top professional and wish we had more players with his attitude.
Absolute top professional and wish we had more players with his attitude.
He's the least of our problems. Be mad at the overall situation and lack of future planning but a Mata contract extension doesn't worry me at all.
It was mentioned ages ago when they first started negotiating.
Never understood how Mourinho kept him on after binning the player at Chelsea. Now at the age of 31 he's still considered good enough for us. How the feck can you justify that?
A multi year deal with Mata remaining in the club (perhaps working to become a coach, scout or some other cog in the club) is an excellent bit of news, personally speaking. I think he is an excellent personality to have around and he is our most technically gifted player currently. I'd say he can still do a good job for us on the pitch provided we find a good role for him to play... and off the pitch he's going to be great. This is rebuilding, too - rebuilding our club structure and DNA.
In terms of of what his role might be after his playing career ends, he seems to be a really intelligent guy with a lot of football knowledge and passion for the game to be played in the right way. And he is obviously seen as someone who should remain at the club. I think this is one of those deals that might not make fans happy, but is ultimately great for the club and exactly what the club needs.
In terms of of what his role might be after his playing career ends, he seems to be a really intelligent guy with a lot of football knowledge and passion for the game to be played in the right way. And he is obviously seen as someone who should remain at the club. I think this is one of those deals that might not make fans happy, but is ultimately great for the club and exactly what the club needs.
Or he often enters when we are behind?
I hope it's not true, 3 years?? Surely they jest.
That doesn't bode well.
Well, I must be in the minority...
I don’t mind this at all. If Juan is utilised in the correct position and as a squad player, I think it could be a good bit of business. He’s still a clever player who could be quite beneficial to keep in the squad. 3 years might be too long but I don’t mind at all. He’s certainly not one of the ones I wanted cleared out this summer.
I don’t mind this at all. If Juan is utilised in the correct position and as a squad player, I think it could be a good bit of business. He’s still a clever player who could be quite beneficial to keep in the squad. 3 years might be too long but I don’t mind at all. He’s certainly not one of the ones I wanted cleared out this summer.
Deal.
Ok, £149,999,999 and he's yours.
They are jesters alright!
Nah, £200M and we have a deal.
Ah i see, didnt know that. Well maybe but then again there are other ways, also what if he decides to hang his boots in 38, he could go to MLS at some point etc.
Precisely.
If Ole knows what he's doing, keeping Mata isn't a problem. He's an experienced player who might offer something both in the dressing room and as a squad player.
If we enter the new season with Mata as a starter in his largely useless capacity as a "winger", Ole is clueless and we're fecked.
We'll know soon enough.