Juan Mata reveals his time at the club and says Fernando Torres was influential in his move to Chelsea
Juan Mata recently reminisced about his tenure at Chelsea, crediting Fernando Torres as a key influencer in his decision to join the Blues in 2011. Their joint effort significantly contributed to Chelsea clinching their maiden Champions League title in 2012.
The skillful Spanish midfielder graced the field for Chelsea over three seasons, making 135 appearances. With a tally of 33 goals and 57 assists, Mata left an indelible mark before transferring to Manchester United in 2014.
Torres, who transitioned from Liverpool the same year as Mata, amassed 174 appearances for Chelsea, netting 45 goals and providing 34 assists before a loan spell at AC Milan.
Presently, Torres is honing young talents as the manager of Atletico Madrid’s U21 squad, while Mata showcases his craft at Galatasaray. The duo, etched in Chelsea lore as pivotal figures, played alongside other notable teammates in securing Chelsea’s first-ever Champions League trophy.
In a conversation with the Chelsea website, Mata fondly revisited those times, discussing his adaptation to life at the Bridge and the camaraderie that propelled them to deliver stellar performances game after game.
‘I consider him one of my best friends in my career (Fernando Torres). He was older, and he was more experienced. He was a very important player; he was always giving me and the others advice. He was very important for all of us, and I learned so much from him.
Torres, already acclimated to the Premier League’s rigors from his Liverpool days, was instrumental in helping Mata transition from Valencia. Their pre-existing rapport from national team duties further cemented their on-field synergy.
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With their playing connection from the national team, Torress and Mata were among the best purchases we made in 2011. Mata was at the top of his game when we signed him, while Torress was in his prime. At Liverpool, he was tearing through defences with his goals, and his signing at Chelsea didn’t let us down. They both played an integral part in our 2011–12 campaign to win the Champions League.