MX23RW : Saturday, January 18 16:07:12| >> :120:11625:11625:

Juan Mata omissions confuse Tony Cascarino

Talking to Sports Mole, Tony Cascarino admits to being baffled as to why Juan Mata is not an automatic starter for Chelsea.

Former Chelsea frontman Tony Cascarino has told Sports Mole that he does not know why Jose Mourinho would opt not to include Juan Mata in his starting lineup.

In the two seasons that followed his 2011 arrival at Stamford Bridge from Valencia, the Spaniard has contributed 32 goals and 55 assists in a blue shirt.

However, he has started just six Premier League matches this term, with Mourinho having often preferred the likes of Oscar, Eden Hazard, Andre Schurrle and Willian in the attacking midfield roles.

When asked about the situation, Cascarino, now a football analyst for The Times, believes that the 25-year-old is more than worthy of a place in Mourinho's team.

"It's all to do with the formation. If they go for a five-man midfield, Mata will be included. He is not someone that hugs the line, he comes inside and looks for opportunities. He can also come up with a goal," he said.

"Mata has really had his nose put out of joint. He is one of the big favourites of the fans and they are a bit baffled [as to why he isn't in the team regularly], but most of them are giving Mourinho the benefit of the doubt. It doesn't look like he's going to play that regular, it just depends on the opposition.

"It's very hard to ignore him. I love the way that he interlinks with Oscar and Eden Hazard. He is always looking to be creative. How can you leave out a player that can score around 20 goals a season? I find it very hard to understand. I can see why David Luiz has been left out, but it's hard to come to terms with Mata not being in the team. He's such a quality player that he'd get in at any of the other leading sides in the Premier League."

Mata has scored one goal from his 12 outings in all competitions so far this season.

Watch Tony Cascarino's Monday Inquest on The Times Goals, which brings subscribers Premier League goals and highlights before anyone else on mobile, tablet and online. Visit www.TheTimes.co.uk/football to find out more.

ID:122045: cacheID:122045:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3356:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Juan Mata in action against Everton on May 19, 2013
Read Next:
Fantasy football advice: Week 14 and 15
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Bournemouth22107536261037
7Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
8Aston Villa2110563132-135
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
10Fulham217953230230
11Brentford218494037328
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
15Crystal Palace215972328-524
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2135132346-2314
20Southampton2113171347-346


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!