That's one way of looking at it.
The other way of looking at it is listing all the problems you have with his style
1. Loses the ball too often
2. Doesn't work hard
3. Doesn't contribute defensively
4. Not an attacking threat
1. Loses the ball 1.4 times/game- among the least for attackers in PL least season (lowest 10)
2. This season's stats aren't available, but had highest average last season, as well as this season till feb(the last time these stats were published)
3. 0.7 interceptions per game(11th most for attacking players with 25+ appearances in PL), 0.5 clearances per 90 minutes(of the players you listed only Eriksen has more), 0.1 crosses blocked/90mins (6th highest in PL among attackers), .5 passes blocked per 90 mins (of the players listed only Eriksen has more)
4. Interesting stat here: among the players you listed, he has the lowest total no. of shots except Ozil, but has most no. of shots from inside the penalty area, which tells you a lot about the way we were playing
Also, 2nd highest no. of accurate long balls among players you listed, least no. of inaccurate long balls, 4th overall in no. of passes among attackers(3rd among those players), 3rd most accurate short passes in PL among attackers and the list, least no. of unsuccessful short passes among the listed players.
Although, I agree he is among the players listed, lowest in key passes (although he is better than Eriksen in no. of through balls)
Its like comparing Defensive records of a Wenger and a Mourinho side. Even if Wenger has better defenders, Mou's side will always have the better stats because of the way they play!
This is why stats can play a trick on you.
When you look at how many times the players losing the ball can be viewed on two things: because he dribble a lot or because he is physically weak. There are two different either you lose possession but try something or loosing it easily. In Mata's case he loses possession easily due to lack of physical attributes. Have a look the stats below (whoscored.com), Mata, Payet, Ozil, De Bruyne, Eriksen have similar numbers of "dispossed per game" in range of 1.4 to 1.8. But look at their dribble per game, Mata was the only one with less than 1. The rest of them with above 1. How can a player with 0.8 dribble per game has a similar amount of dispossed per game with players with dribble per game above 1. It shows that his playing stye is still less effective in term of keeping possession.
Dispossed per game: Mata (1.4) Payet (1.7) Ozil (1.7) De Bruyne (1.4) Eriksen (1.8)
Dribble per game: Mata (0.8) Payet (2.2) Ozil (1.3) De Bruyne (1.4) Eriksen (1)
However, less disposed per game can also mean that the players pass the ball a lot. Either it's short simple pass or key passes.
Key passes per game: Mata (1.4) Payet (4) Ozil (4.2) De Bruyne (3.2) Eriksen (3.3)
Assists: Mata (5) Payet (12) Ozil (19) De Bruyne (9) Eriksen (13)
So in term of their effectiveness in keeping possession for the sake of their team, Mata is way below compare to them.
And this time let's talk about defending stats:
According to Squawka:
Interception per game: Mata (0.58), Payet (0.77), Ozil (0.63), De Bruyne (0.72), Eriksen (1)
Clearances per game: Mata (0.61), Payet (0.17), Ozil (0.29), De Bruyne (0.56), Eriksen (0.80)
Defensive Errors per game: Mata (0.03) Payet (0.03) Ozil (0) De Bruyne (0.04) Eriksen (0.03)
Interceptions, Mata is considered to be the lowest one, as for clearance Mata is #2. But I wouldn't say it's better to have more clearances for an attacking mid than interception or read the game well. Don't you agree?