Could the Time Be Right for Juan Mata's Return to Chelsea?

Juan Mata can't get a break at the moment.

From once appearing the player Chelsea would build their team around, he was the victim of managerial changes at Stamford Bridge, sold by Jose Mourinho as he didn't fit into his system.

His fall from grace was a shock to many, especially given he was named Chelsea's Player of the Year in the two full seasons he spent in west London.

Moving to Manchester United in January, he took on messiah status almost, the major coup for David Moyes to turn around his ill-fated managerial reign.

Mata was the face of the new Manchester United—it was supposed to be a new era, a brave new dawn.

Four months later, Moyes was sent packing after a dismal season and Mata's now back to where he was this time a year ago—fighting to save his place in a team coached by a manager with a different view and opinions to the one who signed him.

If reports are to be believed, he could be on the move again in January, this time with Italy his destination. According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Anthony Hay of the Daily Mail), Mata will be used as a makeweight in United's long pursuit of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.

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It's not quite clear how much money will change hands in that potential deal, but whatever the sums, United are sure to take a considerable hit on the £37.1 million they splashed out on Mata.

So why don't Chelsea test their resolve by making an attempt to bring him back to Stamford Bridge?

The wisdom in allowing Mata to leave less than a year ago has been clear for Jose Mourinho.

The Chelsea manager has persisted with his three attacking midfielders supporting the lone striker, but the demands put on that trio defensively are just as important as what they offer going forward.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

They're required to track runners, support the full-backs and fill gaps in midfield whenever the opposition turns over possession.

Mata's slight frame was never cut out for that side of the game and Mourinho rightly wasn't willing to carry him.

Things have changed with the signing of Cesc Fabregas, however.

In bringing the ex-Barcelona man to Stamford Bridge, Mourinho has transformed him from an attacking midfielder to one content to play a little deeper these days, pulling the strings further back to help Chelsea make an impact in the opposition half.

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Seven assists for Fabregas and 21 goals for Chelsea in the Premier League so far tells its own story. Right now, it's working and as Chelsea continue to develop, there's no reason why that tactic shouldn't flourish all the more.

They're different players with equally differing qualities, but if Fabregas can do it, why not Mata?

Sure, Fabregas is no stranger to that floating position having been deployed there at times for Arsenal and Barcelona. Mourinho describes him as a No. 8 who can also play No. 10, often rotating him throughout matches with Oscar, who drops in to fill the gap Fabregas leaves should he venture further forward.

There has been two components to the success Fabregas has enjoyed at the beginning stages of his Chelsea career—his passing ability and Nemanja Matic.

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Fabregas' vision has opened up teams this season, while sitting alongside a defensive midfielder of Matic's qualities has allowed him to focus on playing.

Matic sits, Fabregas attacks. It really can be described in terms as simple as that.

Chelsea fans know all too well about Mata's own ability when in possession. When utilised correctly, he is a deadly force—46 assists in his two-and-a-half years in west London testament to what he offers when playing on the front foot.

When Fabregas picked out Diego Costa with his wonderful through ball to kill off Arsenal in Chelsea's recent 2-0 win over the Gunners, it was a pass not too different from the sort Mata had produced at times when on duty for the Blues.

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There would still be a concern over his defensive contribution, yet Fabregas has shown a player of a certain ilk can cut it playing in the pivot.

The point is, a lot has changed at Chelsea in the time since Mata left the club. Mourinho's system has been refined and with the brawn they possess, there is just as much room for that creative flair that ultimately makes good teams great.

When Mata departed there was no world-class defensive midfielder. Frank Lampard still commanded a place and competition for places in the middle left things congested. Something had to give at some point and Chelsea cashed in.

Now he may well have a place.

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Would he replace Fabregas in the starting line-up? No. But would he strengthen an already formidable Chelsea squad? Undoubtedly.

Like all gifted players, Mata has the ability to adapt his game and at 26 is young enough to reinvent himself in the way we have seen so many others do before him.

Mata comes with a fine reputation along the King's Road and as fanciful as it may seem, a Chelsea return could well help complete a story that maybe ended too early.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes