MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 20:56:18| >> :60:1997:1997:

Juan Mata: 'I like to play every few days'

Mata: 'I like to play every few days'
© PA Photos
Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata insists that he feels comfortable with his club's hectic fixture schedule.

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata believes that his body is used to playing matches every "three or four days".

Mata has missed just three of Chelsea's 49 fixtures this season, making 40 starts for the Stamford Bridge outfit, but the Spanish international has insisted that he does want to be rested by interim manager Rafael Benitez.

The 24-year-old told the London Evening Standard: "Last season was busy, but this season has been so busy. But I really like to play every three or four days and I think my body is used to playing this much.

"We also have a very big squad to rotate and we do that. To have played 46 games is a good number for me so far but I would like to play as much as I can.

"I have to be happy with these numbers and with this contribution to the team's goals and assists. But as I always say I want more because I am trying to help my team."

Mata is likely to feature when Chelsea play Steaua Bucharesti in the Europa League on Thursday.

ID:72889: cacheID:72889:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1933:
Written by
Darren Plant
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez gestures from the sideline during his side's match with West Brom on March 2, 2013
Read Next:
Benitez promises "competitive" lineup
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!