Arsene Wenger has let another Spanish midfielder go right through his grasp. Wenger was reportedly keen on signing Juan Mata from Valencia earlier this summer, but speculation seemingly drifted away. Enter Roman Abramovich and Andre Villas-Boas. Chelsea FC are set to officially announce the signing the 23-year-old Spanish international today. Mata will provide Chelsea with some much needed imagination and creativity in the midfield. Let’s just go out on a limb (not really) and say Mata will have a very successful English Premier League. He has striking similarities, both literally and figuratively, with Manchester City’s Spanish midfield master David Silva. Like David Silva, Mata can operate as a winger or a midfield player. He’s definitely one of the best signings of the summer.
Mata, a former Real Madrid youth player, joined Valencia in 2007 after playing for Los Blancos’ B team in 2006-07. He tallied ten goals in 39 games for Madrid and was picked up by Valencia. The move turned out to be great for Valencia and not so much for Real Madrid. Since 2007, Mata has appeared in 174 games in all competitions for Els taronja netting 46 goals and 45 assists. Although his numbers are fantastic, Chelsea supporters will be hoping the Spaniard isn’t the flop that Brazilian midfielder Ramires has been at Stamford Bridge.
Modric’s “Head is Not Right” says Redknapp
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has rule Croatian midfielder Luka Modric out of today’s match-up with Manchester United, citing that the player is not in the right state of mind. This information comes in following several reports suggesting that Modric has asked to be sold to Premier League giants Chelsea FC.
Modric’s number were far from extraordinary last season, but the midfielder is receiving the highest praise from football experts across the globe. The creative Croatian bagged four goals in 42 appearances for Spurs in 2010-11. His goal-scoring record at White Hart Lane is not as impressive of his 17 goal output for Dinamo Zagreb in 2007-08.
Redknapp told BBC Sport that he feels as if the Juan Mata’s £23.5 million transfer to the Blues may keep Modric at White Hart Lane in 2011-12.
“I would think that’s the end of the Modric deal surely.
“The chairman is away. He’s said he (Modric) is not for sale, so that’s where we’re at with it.
“I think he’s made up his mind he’s not going to sell him, no matter what the price.
“Luka’s got to get on with it now and hopefully have another good season for us.
“Daniel (Levy) said he would like to sit down with Luka in a month or so when it’s all died down a bit.”
As for Tottenham transfer situation, Redknapp has confirmed that the club will push to make a few more signings.
“I think we’ll make a couple of signings, for sure.
“I saw (City chief executive) Garry Cook and he said there were one or two snags over the money.
“We’re not paying all his wages, that’s for sure, so I don’t know where that one’s at just now.”
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