The Portuguese boss says the 25-year-old playmaker must change his playing style or he will remain behind Oscar in the pecking order
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Juan Mata will continue to be a fringe player at Stamford Bridge until he adapts to the club's new style.The Spain international, who was the Stamford Bridge outfit's Player of the Year for the last two seasons, has struggled to break into the starting XI since Mourinho took over at Stamford Bridge.
The sporadic use of the 25-year-old has perplexed Blues fans but Mourinho has made no apologies for his decision and says Mata has work to do if he is to become a regular starter and usurp in-form Oscar.
"But he played against Everton from the start and you can analyse his performance. He came on against Basel when the team were winning 1-0 – not like Demba Ba or John Obi Mikel, who came on to rescue the game –with specific tasks to do.
"It's part of a process with him, too. 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
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