Chelsea winger Juan Mata looking forward to Valencia return
Juan Mata, the Chelsea winger, revealed he was looking forward to the fixture against Valencia in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. This will be the Blues’ second match in the European competition, having defeated Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford
Bridge earlier on. The 23-year-old will be returning to his former side on Wednesday and admitted he was excited.
After being linked with a host of English Premier League sides, Mata signed with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 towards the end of the summer transfer window for a fee of £23 million. The Spaniard was with the La Liga outfit for four years, during which time he went on to make
174 appearances in all competitions and scored 46 goals along with providing 45 assists.
It was during his time at Valencia that Mata managed to establish himself in the first team, along with securing a place in the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 national side. The young winger revealed the return to Mestalla Stadium was expected to be emotional but that he was looking
forward to a reunion with his former teammates. However, even though Mata insisted that his priority were now the London club, he would not celebrate if he scored a goal.
Mata said while speaking to reporters:
“It is going to be a very special and emotional match for me playing so soon after leaving http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863.
But my priority now is to win for Chelsea. But I will try to be very respectful if I do score and not celebrate.”
Mata still has a strong attachment with his old club because of which the Spaniard did not think celebrating for a goal would be appropriate. Having been with the side for four years, Mata credits Valencia for helping him develop into one of the most sought
after players. He is also still currently in touch with most of his teammates, but revealed that would not affect his performance on Wednesday.
He revealed:
“Everything was very positive and I had great team-mates there with whom I still keep in touch. Even though we will be rivals shortly, I am still going to do the best I can.”
Chelsea are currently at the top of their group with the win over Bayer Leverkusen, with Valencia having secured just a point against Racking Genk with a goal-less draw. Mata revealed he was pleased with working under Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, who
had given the winger a very free attacking role in the Blues’ squad which has seen Mata do incredibly well.
Mata continued:
“He tells me the attacking style he wants me to use and to have greater contact with my team-mates.
He wants me to be involved in passes and setting up goals. He also wants me to score goals.”
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