FORMER CHELSEA DEFENDER Frank Leboeuf believes Jose Mourinho was right to sell Juan Mata and says he was not “a big fan” of the Spaniard.
Mata was a popular figure with Chelsea supporters during his near three-year stint at Stamford Bridge, but failed to nail down a regular first-team place under Jose Mourinho this season.
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The 25-year-old duly completed a switch to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United in a £37.1million deal during the January transfer window.
While Mourinho’s decision to part company with such an asset may have raised eyebrows among some supporters, Leboeuf – who spent five years with Chelsea – believes the Portuguese made the right decision due to the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal.
“I’ve never been a big fan of Juan Mata,” Leboeuf told Perform. “I think he’s a fantastic player (but) I think he doesn’t suit English football.
“I guess Chelsea tried to find the new (Gianfranco) Zola. But Zola was much more powerful than Mata, and Mata is a little bit light.
“I think Mourinho realised that and that is why he bought Willian, because he has a little bit of Zola, not as big as Zola but strong, skilful and works really hard for the team and can defend.
“With (Eden) Hazard, Oscar and Willian, it is an armada. You don’t know where to look, because you know you are going to struggle at some point.”
Too lazy a player for Mourinho. Wants players like hazard and Willian who will work for the team. No doubting his ability, quality player, looks out of place beside donkeys like Nani and Young.
I love these people saying he isnt good enough. . . . They dont have a clue. It is NOT that he is “not good enough”, it is about styles and his is not suited to what Jose wants, thats fair enough. This player was Chelseas best and, debatably in the top 5 Prem players last 2 seasons. A player with as many if not more assists and goals than Iniesta & Xavi (granted dif positions). Still a class act i think.
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That lad should stick to the transformers
Signed in the summer?
“I think Mourinho realised that and that is why he bought Willian, because he has a little bit of Zola, not as big as Zola ”
I think you will find Zola is a lot smaller than Willan – Stay off those mushrooms Shia LaBeouf
Frank le horseshite, talking out his anus
Too lazy a player for Mourinho. Wants players like hazard and Willian who will work for the team. No doubting his ability, quality player, looks out of place beside donkeys like Nani and Young.
I love these people saying he isnt good enough. . . . They dont have a clue. It is NOT that he is “not good enough”, it is about styles and his is not suited to what Jose wants, thats fair enough. This player was Chelseas best and, debatably in the top 5 Prem players last 2 seasons. A player with as many if not more assists and goals than Iniesta & Xavi (granted dif positions). Still a class act i think.