What has happened to ex-Chelsea star Mata at Man Utd?
James Shearman
- Updated: 27 Apr 2022 19:47 BST
- 3 min read
Juan Mata signed for Chelsea in 2011 and made an immediate impact, winning the club's player of the season award twice in a row.
In the 2011-12 campaign, his first, he played a significant role in the Blues' Champions League success - assisting Didier Drogba's goal in the final.
And, in the following season, he registered 19 goals and 35 assists in all competitions as Chelsea won the Europa League.
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The Spaniard was part of an excellent lineup, alongside club legend Frank Lampard, Oscar and Eden Hazard, yet stood out.
As such, he promised to become a Premier League great, held in as high regard as compatriots Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
However, the arrival of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge spelled the end of Mata's Chelsea career, as he was sold to Manchester United for £37 million midway through just his third campaign - where has never been the same.
Mata at Man Utd
Mata signed for United at 25 year of age, having already proven himself in the toughest league in the world.
He was primed to spend several years at Old Trafford and go on to become a legend of the club - the first of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
However, the attacking midfielder was often played on the right wing, where his lack of pace ultimately prevented him from performing the role to the level required.
Indeed, he managed a reasonable 27 goals and 15 assists in his first three-and-a-half Premier League seasons at United, but the last five have been extremely disappointing.
We signed Juan Mata at 25 years old after being Chelsea's POTY and didn't build around him properly, quite sad in all fairness.
— h (@htomufc) April 26, 2022
And, this season he has made just three substitute appearances in the league, which has left him no choice but to depart on a free transfer once the window opens.
''I haven’t been playing as much as I would like this season and I really miss it,'' the 33-year-old told manutd.com.
''I’m enjoying training with my team-mates and I really want to show that I can enjoy playing and giving what I can give to the team.
''I miss it and I still have a lot of passion and a lot of will to keep enjoying football.''
Unfortunately, Mata will go down as one of those players who could, and should, have turned a few excellent seasons into a Hall of Fame career - though, unlike most, he isn't to blame.
