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A key line in that piece (I think) is "with the intention of him remaining at the club after he retires as a player." Given Mata's obvious off-the-pitch qualities, it shouldn't be that surprising that the club has plans for him beyond his playing career. Which is another reason one might prioritise losing others first at a time when there are so many who could happily be lost.Tweet
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It's really 3 years. Unbelievable stuff!!
Exactly. People need to understand that if Gomes is genuinely this good, he will get chances and he can climb above Mata in the pecking order. That's how it always happens and will happen in the future as wellAs I think Duffer said earlier, we're facing a 60-odd game slog of a season. Not having enough bodies in the squad is more likely to be a problem than having too many.
Besides, the above assumes that Gomes would be a better option than Mata but our manager and all our coaches fundamentally won't be able to see that and would keep playing Mata ahead of him anyway. At which point we hope we lose Mata just so they're forced to play the better option. In which case the big issue isn't Mata's presence, it's the quality of our manager and coaching team.
I remember the staying on at the club being mentioned before. I wonder in what role? I cannot imagine him coaching for some reason, ambassadorial? Maybe a role as a technical or DOF role?A key line in that piece (I think) is "with the intention of him remaining at the club after he retires as a player." Given Mata's obvious off-the-pitch qualities, it shouldn't be that surprising that the club has plans for him beyond his playing career. Which is another reason one might prioritise losing others first at a time when there are so many who could happily be lost.
If he is used say behind the striker, more in the middle he will be fine. He just doesn't cope out wide.It’s not a disaster keeping hold of him. He doesn’t have pace so he’s not going to lose that over the next two years. It does give us another option and provided he doesn’t play RW I think he’s a useful player.
If it’s 2 years I think that’s fine, if its 3 years surely they have to question what Matt Judge is doing. A 34 year old on likely £150k-£200k a week that isn’t a regular starter. That’s terrible business.
There was absolutely no sense to the Young/Jones deal. At least Mata has some intelligence.Cant wait to read attempts to spin this into " no biggie ", then start counting positives Mata provides, how it makes sense just like Young, Jones decisions etc.
Official blogger/podcaster.I remember the staying on at the club being mentioned before. I wonder in what role? I cannot imagine him coaching for some reason, ambassadorial? Maybe a role as a technical or DOF role?
I often try to defend the club and put some perspective but that one is absolutely depressing. When you look at the amount of minutes played by Mata last season and the wage that he is supposed to have, extending him makes no sense.Cant wait to read attempts to spin this into " no biggie ", then start counting positives Mata provides, how it makes sense just like Young, Jones decisions etc.
Official Club Hugger.Official blogger/podcaster.
But seriously, he seems like an intelligent chap. Maybe he could help developing youth or something like that.
He’s an intelligent player who never relied on his physicality and has an excellent injury record. He’ll age better than most. He finished the season in lousy form (like every other player in our squad) but on the rare occasion we have played well in recent years he’s usually involved. I’m glad he’s staying.A multi year deal is fecking ridiculous. He's shit now. Imagine what he’s going to be like at 34!
I am surprised they have given him this contract all in one go. A yearly rolling contract I don't think anyone would complain about.I often try to defend the club and put some perspective but that one is absolutely depressing. When you look at the amount of minutes played by Mata last season and the wage that he is supposed to have, extending him makes no sense.
Agreed.Ole will have no one to blame when he gets sacked in Dec.
Well said.We have had good success over years with versatile players in their 30s reprising squad roles. If this helps de gea stay too it can't hurt. We are looking to change the culture of the club, keeping on an experienced player with a flawless attitude is fine. Crazy overreactions are from the 10 in 10 out brigade, who I personally think are so far out of touch with reality
Didn't he get injured before the PSG game and subsequently missed some time?Can't recall him starting against many good teams. Chelsea end of season when we had nothing to play for only i can remember. Stats, schmats.
That is the point. If we sign a wide right player then fine. If he is the wide right player, then we have problems.If we can get in a right sided attacker I'd be more comfortable with this. We all like the bloke but please don't play him on the right. Decided anyway there is much of the window open and we can't replace everyone so just gonna chill about it and live in hope.
Well, they said it made sense back then, then they started spinning "what, you would like him to go for free!? this way we will get transfer fee for Jones this summer transfer window" line.There was absolutely no sense to the Young/Jones deal. At least Mata has some intelligence.
We are pretty consistent that way. Young, Jones and Smalling. Rojo last year.He offered nothing last season so we give him more money and a long contract, this clubs a shambles.
This. His faith in mediocrity will be aptly rewarded.Ole will have no one to blame when he gets sacked in Dec.
He had a great season.He offered nothing last season so we give him more money and a long contract, this clubs a shambles.
In looks, perhaps. He’s an extremely inefficient player on the football field now.He’s an intelligent player who never relied on his physicality and has an excellent injury record. He’ll age better than most. He finished the season in lousy form (like every other player in our squad) but on the rare occasion we have played well in recent years he’s usually involved. I’m glad he’s staying.
It's an interesting question. It might just be that the club vaguely realise that there is bound to be some post-playing role for him here given he has already displayed a certain level of capability in his work with Common Goal and his very polished public persona. If you were generally talent spotting players for future roles at the club then he is bound to stand out in that sense. Even just in an ambassadorial role Saint Mata is a no brainer.I remember the staying on at the club being mentioned before. I wonder in what role? I cannot imagine him coaching for some reason, ambassadorial? Maybe a role as a technical or DOF role?