You could be forgiven for forgetting that, at the age of 24, Juan Mata had already achieved the remarkable feat of winning World Cup, European Championship and Champions League titles. The diminutive Spaniard, now 28, manages to avoid the public eye, and the attentions of defenders, with a cerebral approach that wins plaudits without approaching the levels of adulation that his surrounding cast receives.
Mata’s general perception was perhaps best exemplified by his sale to Manchester United in January of 2014. After being named Chelsea’s player of the season for two consecutive years, Mata wasn’t deemed a “fundamental” player by Jose Mourinho and was sold for £37.1 million.
But time and time again, Mata has proven why he’s an indispensable footballer with qualities that very on the planet possess. Mata’s vision, passing and mobility to get forward and unbalance the gridlock between attack and defense make him an impact performer.
Juan Mata in English football:
Chelsea: 33 goals in 135 games.
Man Utd: 33 goals in 129 games.Special Juan. pic.twitter.com/AJ8hoTSF68
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2017
In Mata’s 15 Premier League appearances this campaign, he’s never played a full 90 minutes. In the matches he’s come closest, United have been at their best — their 4-1 demolition of Leicester City and their 1-1 draw with Arsenal when Olivier Giroud scored an equalizer at the death.
Juan Mata has a higher pass accuracy (91%) than any other player in the PL this season (600+ passes) Squawka #MUFC pic.twitter.com/PUHX1KPT6V
— Red Army! (@RedorDead07) January 10, 2017
On Tuesday, Mata put in a superb display to put United on the brink of the EFL Cup final. He scored the opening goal in the Red Devil’s 2-0 victory over Hull City and tormented Hull with his passing and movement throughout.
GOAL! @juanmata8 breaks the deadlock. DOWNLOAD & WATCH → https://t.co/59SisRrx73 #beINgo90 https://t.co/wlGAej0JPo
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 10, 2017
Mata isn’t able to grab games by the scruff of the neck like his teammate Paul Pogba, nor will he burst by markers with virtuoso dribbling like his former teammate Eden Hazard.
What Mata offers, like the man himself, is more subtle. If Mata can make an impact in Manchester United’s next match — the all-engulfing showstopper that is United versus Liverpool — another historic accolade will be added to his unsung profile.
Juan Mata was still signing autographs outside Old Trafford at 11:30pm tonight [@SimonPeach] pic.twitter.com/LSHq52VrQ0
— UtdHQ (@UtdHQ) January 11, 2017
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