Juan Mata: Breaking Down What Makes Chelsea Forward a Superstar

Chelsea forward Juan Mata cemented himself as an English Premier League superstar on Saturday when he scored two goals and helped put the finishing touches on Tottenham Hotspur in the two clubs' EPL clash at White Hart Lane. 

Mata's superb play in the second half helped rescue Chelsea from a 2-1 hole and sent the club on its way to a fourth consecutive Premier League match win.

The Chelsea star was "magical" according to FIFA.com via Twitter:

"

A magical performance by Juan Mata sees Chelsea's great start continue with a 4-2 win at Spurs. Report & pics—d3w.io/TFHeHQ

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) October 20, 2012"

After witnessing Mata's heroics we've decided to break down what makes him a legitimate superstar. 

Brilliant First Touch

One of the most underrated skills in football is the ability to control the ball on the first touch.

Whether Juan Mata is finishing a cross sent into the box or controlling a long pass down the pitch, his first touch is impeccable and makes Chelsea's offense that much more threatening. Before you can score, pass or make a move, you have to touch the ball, and that's where Mata has become a magician. 

The 24-year-old is always focused on the current play, no matter how big or small, easy or difficult. Mata's approach to his first touch is a very underrated aspect of his game, but huge in terms of making him the player he is today.

Decision Making

Juan Mata makes mistakes like everyone else, but he rarely makes poor decisions on the pitch. He has an attacking mindset but never plays out of control or ahead of himself. 

If he doesn't have a quality look at the goal then he will often defer to teammates who do. Here's an impressive statistic on Mata from The Football Front via Twitter:

"

In 41 Chelsea games, Juan Mata has got 30 assists. That's unbelievable.

— The Football Front (@ReviewFootball) October 20, 2012"

If he's not scoring goals, he's still making excellent decisions, and the stats back it up. Mata is the consummate team player, and his team's early season success proves it. 

Vision

As Juan Mata has improved over the years, so has his vision and creativity. It seems as if the Spaniard can see plays develop before they happen, ultimately giving him a decisive advantage on the break. 

If Mata isn't looking to feed the ball into a teammate who's making a run at the goal, then he'll possess the ball a little longer until a shot opens up for himself or a teammate. His creativity on the ball gives him precious additional time to wait for an opening or make one for himself.

Watching Mata run with the ball at his feet is exciting, because rarely will he fail to get Chelsea a look at goal. His tricky fakes and quick reversals make life tough for defenders hoping to contain him. 

In the end, Juan Mata can best be described as an unselfish, skilled forward who can beat you in a variety of ways. Whether its his perfectly timed passes or his patience, Mata is bringing a superstar presence to the pitch for Chelsea. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.