Juan Mata might not be have played as much football as he would have hoped this season but it hasn’t dampened the Spaniard’s spirits in the slightest.
Speaking in a very open and honest interview with Spanish website El Pais, Mata discussed everything from his great relationship with David de Gea and Ander Herrera to how much he feels at home in Manchester.
Living on the same road as De Gea and Herrera has no doubt helped their on-pitch understanding of how each other plays and with De Gea bang in form, Herrera looking superb since joining this summer and Mata working his way back into the team, something must be going right.
One thing about Mata which makes him such a great person to listen to is his transparent honesty and how genuine he comes across. In general, footballers are usually very closed with their words but Mata is the opposite and his openness is a refreshing change.
Here’s some translations of key points Mata discussed in his interview:
Mata: 'Manchester is the real, pure England. In London, everyone does their own thing, life's so fast. The people in the North are closer.'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata onChelsea: 'Id just had 2 fantastic seasons, voted MVP by fans & teammates, then he (Mourinho) came & I stopped playing.'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata on Mourinho (doesn't actually name him): 'There was no relationship, we had no dialogue. I was no longer happy there, then United came'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata on being left out of Spain squad: 'I think I'm more valued in England than in Spain.' (El Pais) Definitely true.
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata: 'U fall in love with the Premier League. I've always loved British futbol, its pitches…& the culture: music, fashion, the Mod thing'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata (dig at Mourinho?): 'I love Van Gaal's philosophy. And he's honest: for me it's more important to be a good person than a good coach.'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata on the Spanish clan at United: 'Myself, Herrera & De Gea live on the same street as each other, so we hang out a lot together.'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata on his life's philosophy: 'I don't understand people who aren't curious, who don't want to learn more or broaden their horizons.'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata's a keen reader, always has a book on the go: 'Right now I'm reading Andre Agassi's book. All about the ups & downs of sporting life.'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata: 'I'm taking a degree in Marketing & Sports Science. You can't stop studying and learning just because you're a footballer.' #Crack
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata: 'Van Gaal's very close to the players,he asks our opinion on sessions.Sometimes he mentions Guardiola, how Pep showed him some things'
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014
Mata: 'I feel at home in Manchester, nearly every day it's cloudy and rainy. Just like in Asturias!' (El Pais)
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) October 20, 2014