Juan Mata

Yes. Just what Arsenal need. Another small and creative player.
 
wr8_utd said:
Yes. Just what Arsenal need. Another small and creative player.
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That's ridiculous, if he's better than the other players in similar positions already at Arsenal(haven't seen enough of him to make a sound judgement) then he would be a good signing.

By your logic Messi, Xavi and Iniesta wouldn't improve Arsenal.
 
Article from goal.com

Intelligent, humble and ambitious - Arsenal & Liverpool target Juan Mata prepares for next phase in his career

Los Che's flying forward is attracting big interest from the Premier League and appears ready to move forward in a career that is already blossoming beautifully

By Ben Hayward

Juan Mata is on a journey. Born in Burgos and raised from the age of five in the northern province of Asturias, the forward embarked on a route to the top via Madrid and Valencia, taking in South Africa and, most recently, Denmark. It is a tour which has seen the player represent Spain at every level from Under-16 upwards, win a World Cup, a European Under-21 Championship and play in the Champions League – all in his tender 23 years. And this summer, that journey looks set to continue.

The bright lights of London are calling, with Arsenal said to be willing to make Mata their most expensive ever signing. The Gunners are one of several English sides interested in the player, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool also monitoring his movements. Inter have also sent scouts to watch the forward this season, while Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been linked.

A simple soul with a humble head on his solid shoulders, Mata is something of an atypical character in the game. Intelligent both on and off the pitch, the young forward boasts interests beyond football. He is concerned by world events, picked a museum when asked by a newspaper to choose the location to give a recent interview, has taken classes at university and says the person he would most like to meet is Nelson Mandela. And he’s also learning English.


Juan for the future | Mata is a rising star in Spain
But while he may be keen to broaden his horizons, he is also happy at home. “I like living in Valencia,” he has said. “I like going into the city once a week, to the cinema; I like the beach.”
But Mata is not one for parties. Unlike some other players at Valencia, he has never been pictured falling out of a nightclub, nor does he seek a lifestyle of glitz and glamour. He has had several girlfriends, but his personal life had stayed such. Private, polite and politically correct, the 23-year-old is often described in Valencia as ‘the perfect son-in-law – the boyfriend every mother would like for their daughter’. He is young, successful, well-mannered and polite.

These attitudes are also reflected in the dressing room. Although a popular presence among players – his best friends in the game are Valencia midfielder Pablo Hernandez, and fellow Asturians David Villa and Adrian Lopez – Mata is often reluctant to voice strong opinions, unwilling to upset his colleagues. Since the departure of Villa and David Silva from Valencia last summer, however, he has assumed more of a leadership role at Mestalla. And should he stay at the club next season, he is likely to be handed a position of authority as Valencia’s first three captains, Joaquin, Cesar and Vicente, have all left the club, while the fourth, defender David Navarro, fails to figure in the plans of coach Unai Emery, who holds Mata in high regard.

JUAN MATA AT VALENCIA | First-team appearances


Season Appearances
Goals
Assists
2007-08 29 5 0
2008-09
47
14 13
2009-10
56
17 4
2010-11
44 10 15
Total
176 games
46 goals
32 assists

Mata’s career is managed by Juan Manuel Mata Senior, a decent footballer himself in the 1980s. The two share a name, a profession and a love for the beautiful game. Indeed, Juan Mata Junior is very much his father’s son. Lately, however, a more developed version of the player has emerged, both at Valencia and with Spain. “I have had to mature quickly,” Mata has said. “I was at Oviedo at the age of 12 and at Madrid at 15”.

Mata starred in Madrid’s youth team alongside Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo in a formidable front line, but opted to join Valencia when a contract offer at Castilla was not forthcoming. The player then endured a difficult time, being left out of the Madrid B team by coach Michel. On arrival in Valencia, he was also barely used by boss Quique Sanchez Flores, although he was given a run in the side by next coach Ronald Koeman and hasn’t looked back since. Last summer, he ran away with the ball under his shirt after Spain has won the World Cup; this summer, he played a different part, as the oldest player for La Roja in the side’s Under-21 Championship success, revelling in the role of father figure.


“I'm happy to stay with Valencia. It took me four years to break through into the first team but now I can play regularly for the team and for Spain.”

- Juan Mata

Mata’s father remains a very powerful presence behind the scenes. He wants the best for his son and is pushing the player to achieve all of his goals in football, perhaps living some of his own frustrated dreams through those of his talented child. Mata Senior has a prickly relationship with the press and, at times, with Valencia. Mata the player is determined too, though. “I demand the maximum from myself at all times,” he has remarked.

Unhappy at Valencia’s unfulfilled promise of a new contract last year, Mata eventually signed a new deal in the summer. The buy-out clause was set at a massive €60 million, although a gentleman’s agreement was reached for the player to leave for between €20m and €25m should a suitable offer come in. At the moment, despite interest, no bids have been made.

Things are unlikely to change this week, either. Having returned from Denmark in the early hours of Sunday morning as a European champion, Mata then left Spain to go on holiday. After a week of relaxation, the player will return to Asturias to spend time with family and friends, and it is likely to be then that he will decide on his next move.

“Mata is like a brother. I love him very much. He is a great person and a great player.”

- David Villa


He will do so with an open mind. The Champions League is an attraction, of course, but Mata has also played in the Europa League for Valencia and those close to the player believe he will give greater importance to the sporting project on offer. And that could give hope to Liverpool. Barca failed to follow up their real interest from last summer and Madrid are looking to more exotic targets in the shape of Neymar and Sergio Aguero. England, then, appears to be the player’s most likely destination. “I watched a lot of English football [growing up],” Mata once said. “United, Chelsea… I remember liking Arsenal with Dennis Bergkamp.” Gunners fans will have fond memories of that era, too, and will hope they can add a new talent to the armoury this summer.

Wherever he does end up, Spain’s emerging star looks certain to move on. His intelligent forward play, either on the wing or as a support striker, has won many admirers and, as with the moves to Oviedo, later Madrid and subsequently to Valencia, the youngster appears ready to take another step and continue his journey - as a Mata of progress.
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Valencia have reached an agreement to sign Argentina international Pablo Piatti from Almeria, subject to a medical.

The 22-year-old striker is set to join Los Che on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee from the recently relegated Andalusians, with a friendly between the two clubs also being part of the agreement.

A quarter of the transfer fee will be paid to Estudiantes, Piatti's first club, as part of a sell-on clause dating back to the player's move to Spain in 2008.
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Valencia pounce for Piatti - TEAMtalk | Football | World | Club News

Mata should now be on his way. Or have they signed Piatti to replace Joaquin?
 
This is not an IM conversation, you can edit your post if you realise something halfway through it.

So you think the rumours of him leaving this close season are without basis?
 
Mad said:
This is not an IM conversation, you can edit your post if you realise something halfway through it.

So you think the rumours of him leaving this close season are without basis?
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Braulio Vázquez, sporting director, believes that the Argentine will fit in well at Valencia. “He has character, he’s hard working, and he has a lot of talent. He can give us speed, energy and he scores goals. Alongside Mata, Jonas, Pablo, Soldado, Aduriz and the rest of our players, I believe that we have a strong and versatile forward line.”
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I'm sure a huge offer would change anyone's mind, but clearly the current plan is for him to stay
 
Mad said:
What would you consider a huge offer? €25M?
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He's worth about 30 million euros. So a bit more than his worth would be a huge offer

I dont think Valencia need to sell anymore players this summer to satisfy the banks. If it turns out they do need to get more money in that could change things
 
Arsenal and Liverpool I'd imagine.

Edit:
Ekeke said:
He's worth about 30 million euros. So a bit more than his worth would be a huge offer

I dont think Valencia need to sell anymore players this summer to satisfy the banks. If it turns out they do need to get more money in that could change things
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I think they do. Might I refer you to Sid Lowe's article on him 2-3 weeks ago.

Valencia is one problem, and the debt remains a hungry one.
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The man nearest the exit door is Juan Mata -- both because he wants to compete and because Valencia know that he is the player most likely to raise a sizable transfer fee. He would make a superb signing for any number of clubs joining the queue.
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Last summer resistance was possible with Silva and Villa to sell; this year it is futile. The good news for Valencia comes in the shape of a check for around €25 million ($35M), another lifeline provided by selling off the family silver.
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Juan Mata looks like latest Valencia star*likely to exit - Sid Lowe - SI.com
 
Apparently the agent brokering the deal is saying it's Arsenal and Liverpool. Far from confirmed though.
 
Mad said:
Arsenal and Liverpool I'd imagine.

Edit:

I think they do. Might I refer you to Sid Lowe's article on him 2-3 weeks ago.




Juan Mata looks like latest Valencia star*likely to exit - Sid Lowe - SI.com
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As I've said before, his articles on Valencia tend to be sensationalist. His article on Banega a year or so ago was particularly full of rubbish.

Trusting closer Valencia fan sites and the Spanish media which informed me last night that Piatti would be coming to Valencia, I'm under the impression that Valencia's financial situation is fine with all the players who have left, the others they plan to let go of (neither Banega or Mata among them) but if big money is offered for them, perhaps they'd be willing to sell. Not because they really need to but because the offer is right

Longsden_7 said:
Eh?
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When was the last time Arsenal signed a player for 30 million euros?
 
Ekeke said:
As I've said before, his articles on Valencia tend to be sensationalist. His article on Banega a year or so ago was particularly full of rubbish.

Trusting closer Valencia fan sites and the Spanish media which informed me last night that Piatti would be coming to Valencia, I'm under the impression that Valencia's financial situation is fine with all the players who have left, the others they plan to let go of (neither Banega or Mata among them) but if big money is offered for them, perhaps they'd be willing to sell. Not because they really need to but because the offer is right



When was the last time Arsenal signed a player for 30 million euros?
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Where are you getting the €30M figure?
 
Ekeke meant that Fabregas would be sold to Barca to finance it, I presume.
 
Ekeke said:
When was the last time you detected sarcasm on the internet?
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When it was properly employed.

Ekeke said:
The same place as all other figures. Someone's personal valuation, in this case mine based on watching him weekly and what they got for Silva.
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:lol: You said it as if Arsenal had bid €30M and now it's your personal valuation of the player. Quality stuff.
 
sajeev said:
he is younger and better (more effective) than David Silva
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Silva is 2 years older I agree, but he was/is more established at Valencia and Spain than Mata.

Silva is more versatile,and overall better player.
 
Mad said:
When it was properly employed.



:lol: You said it as if Arsenal had bid €30M and now it's your personal valuation of the player. Quality stuff.
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I dont believe they've bid for him. I've dismissed the whole idea because Arsenal dont sign players who cost as much as he will

In fact you were the one who asked me what I believe a big offer/his valuation would be.
 
If he goes to Arsenal, then I think Nasri will be sold.
 
Enigma_87 said:
Silva is 2 years older I agree, but he was/is more established at Valencia and Spain than Mata.

Silva is more versatile,and overall better player.
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Nah, Mata is more versatile. He's played as striker, left wing, right wing and in the hole

Silva had just been dropped from the Spain team. Mata is on the fringes. Mata is more important to Valencia than Silva ever was, and that was the case when he was there too.
 
KM said:
If he goes to Arsenal, then I think Nasri will be sold.
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Agreed. The transfer fees being mentioned are very similar as well, which goes along well with Arsenal's philosophy in the market.
 
Llorente :

Interest in Pedro León – Now that Pablo Piatti has been signed, Valencia’s interest in the Madrid man has cooled off. “I believe that the position is covered now that we have signed Piatti.”

Juan Mata – The president reiterated that Mata will be staying at Valencia. He was asked this question numerous times and in different forms, including “hypothetically,” but he was firm in stating that Mata is going nowhere. “Juan Mata is staying at Valencia. We aren’t going to do anything to sell him. Mata is relaxed, he’s happy to stay at Valencia and he has a contract with us.” Llorente was then questioned what sort of money would convince Valencia to sell their prize asset. Llorente’s response was conclusive. “We will not contemplate any sum of money for Mata.” He also went on to say that he is “convinved that Mata wants to stay.”

Piatti signing - Llorente was questioned whether or not the Piatti signing meant that Mata is going. “Piatti was not bought because Mata is going. He was bought because Joaquín is gone.”
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Good stuff, didn't fancy the idea of him signing for Liverpool or Arsenal
 
Mirror have Arsenal linked with him again but for £15M which is a clearly never going to happen.
 
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