The Barclays Premier League has seen a recent rise in Spanish players, especially during the summer transfer market. Here we provide a round-up of their performances over the weekend.
Of all of the Spaniards who played on Saturday and Sunday, the one who made the most headlines was someone not even selected on the bench. Juan Mata found himself out of Chelsea’s squad for their game against Fulham which has caused quite an uproar. The diminutive playmaker has all the attributes which has helped Chelsea to two European titles but is being frozen out by Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.
Blue’s assistant boss Steve Holland has urged Mata to be patient and to trust Mourinho, citing Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise as a prime example of his expertise, but a player of Mata’s quality cannot be content with fleeting substitute and minor cup appearances, especially ahead of a World Cup.
On the other hand, a fellow Spaniard has been excelling recently and will be hoping his efforts don’t go unnoticed ahead of the World Cup in Brazil next year. Michu has now scored three times in the past week with strikes against Liverpool, Valencia and Crystal Palace and is doing everything for Vicente del Bosque to give him a call-up. The striker notched after just 90 seconds against Palace in a comfortable win which also included Chico, Angel Rangel, Alejandro Pozuelo and Alejandro Vazquez, making his first start since signing on loan from Getafe in the summer. Jose Campana also featured for the hosts in their 2-0 defeat.
Like Campana, David de Gea also endured a miserable weekend as he conceded four goals in the Manchester derby defeat to rivals City. Jesus Navas was instrumental for City, making one assist in the 4-1 win. His old Sevilla teammate Alvaro Negredo also started and Javi Garcia featured as a substitute for two-goal hero Sergio Aguero at the end.
Surely in the battle with Negredo and Michu to make Spain’s World Cup squad is Spurs’ Roberto Soldado. He played 90 minutes against Cardiff on Sunday as they scored late on to win 1-0. He is yet to score from open play for Spurs in the Premier League this season but the team has a lot of new signings who will gel in time.
Fernando Torres came on against Fulham for Chelsea but failed to find the net once again. You feel that the former Liverpool striker will have to become more consistent to seal a spot in the 23 man squad, especially with Cesc Fabregas’ spectacular form for Barcelona.
There was good news for Arsenal fans as Mikel Arteta continued his return with an appearance from the subs bench against Stoke on Sunday. Nach Monreal also featured as a sub but Santi Cazorla continues to battle injury and is another few games from returning to the first team.
Antonio Luna and Javier Garrido played 90 minutes each in the game between Villa and Norwich with Luna’s side prevailing 1-0 winners. And as for Iago Aspas and Jose Enrique, the pair were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline as Southampton shocked the Reds at Anfield. Aspas was hauled off at half-time and is yet to score in the Premier League this season, failing to justify his big money move from Celta Vigo in the summer.
About the article “Jose Mourinho’s approach great for long-term strategy”
This article claims:
“He shouldn’t be judged just yet in his second spell at Stamford Bridge.”
???
So he can Humiliate destroy and abuse players and is too early to criticize him?
Sorry but I disagree.
It is the right time to put a barrier to what can be done and what shouldn’t.
It is the right time to tell Mourinho that even he has merits in his career, but he has no white card to do anything he wants.
He has done some disastrous mistakes in the past , and we want to be sure he will not do it again at least while in Chelsea. Do You agree?
I understand the main tactic employed bu Mourinho is to obtain 150% or more productive and effort of any player. In other words to sent them on the pitch with blood in his eyes giving everything for the triumph. If some will see this approach valid . I personally disagree. because the mind games employed by this manager are far over proportion humilliating his own players and putting a negative atmosphere around them.
If this way of training and obtaining victories will be the only one and widely used by most managers, then we will agree that could be valid.
But the reality tell us that by the contrary only few managers use mind games to transform his players into animals to go under the circus arena.
We have some technicians who practice beautiful football tactics and style of play that produce joy and admiration, and that was never the case of Mourinho.
So even he has good achievements , he has no one of beautiful football.
Some will say that only winning no matter what is important, but I disagree and others like me will do the same.
Some people can not just be passive observers of the silly and foolish mind games employed by Mourinho to obtain his purposes over his players. And in some cases like the one of Juan Mata those mind games are not only offensive for our best player but also for ourselves. If we can’t say our opinion and express our rejection then Mourinho pretend reducing us to simple observers of a self proclaimed genius?
Mourinho is giving to all of us the label of ignorants without a clue of what can be done and what shouldn’t.
Tell me if I am wrong if that was the purpose of Mourinho to tell us to be apart of his decisions when he decided not to even include Juan Mata on the bench during our last match? Just to avoid pressure of the fans to include him in the field? Am I going to far? Or I am just deciphering Mourinho’s mind games?.
For the sake of everyone I propose Mourinho stop immediately humiliating players in his own selfish benefit to be himself the only star at Chelsea. Work harder but not in his mind games to put blood in the eyes of his players, but in football tactics who dominate the opponent by the football quality and ability of our team. To stop competing for the starship with our own players. Mourinho can be a star but Mata is also a star and Luis, and Lampard ( certainly a one who must retire but that is for other day).