Why Paris Saint-Germain and Juan Mata Are a Perfect Match
While the rest of Paris is enjoying the Euro 2016 festivities, fans of Paris Saint-Germain are waiting every day for news of Unai Emery becoming their coach for next season.
With that wait comes speculation, and while speaking on radio station RMC (via Le 10 Sport, link in French), presenter Daniel Riolo, as well as updating listeners on Emery’s demands, mentioned that the Spanish coach was keen on signing one of his former Valencia players, someone who plays in England.
All the clues point towards Manchester United’s Juan Mata. The Spaniard played under Emery at the Mestalla Stadium, before his move to Chelsea in August 2011.
PSG have been linked in the past, per the Daily Telegraph, but it seems Emery’s impending move, plus the appointment of Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, opens the doors to a transfer—and it’s a deal that would make perfect sense to everyone and could help shape the system he would use in Paris.
When linked with a move to Arsenal and Liverpool five years ago, per Marca (h/t Goal), Emery called him a "very committed player on and off the pitch.”
That is something that PSG have sometimes lacked. All too often under Laurent Blanc, the team played beneath their own level, strolling through games and appearing to act complacent against other Ligue 1 clubs.
They would clearly show their domination, but once ahead, the foot would come off the accelerator, and they were made to suffer for it a few times.
It also doesn’t help with their transition to the UEFA Champions League, it became too much to see the team turn back on the pressure when the bigger challenges came around. That is one of the first things Emery would want to fix.
Changing the attitude around the club is crucial, and bringing in one of his former players—someone who flourished under his methods—should help. Also, Mata is a player of great talent, so he would be a fantastic addition to the playing staff. He is obviously a player Emery still admires.
“Silva might be the best; he made us play. And Mata is the sharpest, brightest player out there,” he told the Guardian’s Sid Lowe. “Mata’s clever, very clever, the cleverest of the lot.”
As previously discussed in this column, it would be expected that Emery would try to play the same 4-2-3-1 formation that he found success with at Sevilla. Mata would be able to come into the team and play the No. 10 role with great effect. Most importantly for the player, he wouldn’t be asked to defend as much as he would be in England. Especially under Mourinho.
One of the Portuguese boss’ biggest problems with Mata was his defensive contributions, something that broke down their relationship at Chelsea and would reportedly be a problem when the two are reunited at Manchester United this summer.
“It is one thing to play with Ramires and Oscar closing down opponents on each side, and Mata as a No. 10 behind a striker with his clever assists, clever passes and fantastic actions because he has great talent.” Mourinho told the press when asked about the Spaniard's lack of playing time back in 2013.
"But it is another thing to adapt to the way we want to play,” he added. “In this moment, Oscar is my No. 10 and, if anyone tells me Oscar has not been Chelsea's best player this season, I'd have to disagree. I have to prove to the fans that I am good. Now [Mata] must do the same."
Looking at his statistics from when he moved from Valencia to his time in England, it does look like Mourinho just didn't fancy Mata's face in the team.
In his last season with Valencia, according to WhoScored.com, Mata averaged 0.8 tackles per game and the same in interceptions. In his two-and-a-half seasons with Chelsea, he averaged 0.8, 0.7 and 1.1 tackles per game—exactly the same player they signed—and 0.7, 0.6 and 0.2 interceptions.
For Manchester United, he kept his tackling rates up at 1.1 in his first campaign, then it went back down to 0.9 and 0.8 under Louis van Gaal. However, his interceptions stayed consistent at 0.6, 0.7 and 0.6 per game.
It is clear you know exactly what you are getting from Mata, and to pick him out for a lack of defensive ability seems unjust and unfair, and as the player explained to the Spanish press, there was a complete breakdown under Mourinho.
“For better or for worse, we had no relationship, there was no dialogue,” Mata told El Pais (via the Daily Mail). “I was not happy, but always gave the most respected and my colleagues. You never know what will happen in life.”
He is obviously a player with morals and decency, still wanting to give his all, even when he wasn’t happy. Under departed United manager Louis van Gaal, the Spaniard has recovered some form.
“He [Van Gaal] has so much experience and I can learn a lot from him," added Mata. "He’s tough when he has to be.
"He says things in a firm way, intensely, but then he’s somebody who is very close with the players. He really likes to talk with us, to ask us what we think about the exercises that we do in training.”
In the Premier League last season, Mata started 34 games for Van Gaal and scored six goals while adding five assists. That is a decent return for the Spain international, although United didn’t enjoy the most expansive of attacking seasons.
When he moved from Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain, Angel Di Maria rediscovered his form and his love of football, finishing the season with an incredible 18 assists.
You could see Mata slipping into the No. 10 role at PSG, being able to enjoy the game without having to defend—it’s almost frowned upon in France—but he also has the drive, commitment and ability to not only improve himself, but to make the Parisians a better, more unpredictable club.
Signing the United man would allow Emery to play either Lucas Moura or Javier Pastore on the left, Mata through the centre, with the ability to drift, and Di Maria on the right.
The club and fans may feel like they need a superstar name to guide them to the top, but what they really need is players who fit the coach’s system and who are going to push this club forward.
Mata ticks all those boxes.
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