Where would Juan Mata fit in at Tottenham?

It seems extraordinary that Chelsea would even think about letting their Player of the Year go, but it seems as though life isn't all that sweet for Juan Mata under Jose Mourinho. There were rumours throughout the summer about the Spaniard's future, and again when he missed the first few games of the season, but the Express are suggesting that Tottenham will be in with a bid in January to rid him of his Stamford Bridge woes. But where would he fit into an already packed midfield?

Andre Villas-Boas already has Christian Eriksen, Lewis Holtby and Mousa Dembele who can operate in the central attacking areas. Juan Mata is able to function in any of the three attacking roles behind the forward of the 4-2-3-1 formation, but on the wings the likes of Aaron Lennon, Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli, so competition is fierce.

For me, Mata is best on the left - cutting in and using his creativity to open up the opposition. The 25-year-old made 95 key passes last season for Chelsea. Chadli has had a good start to life at White Hart Lane but is not in the same bracket as Mata, whereas Lamela is likely to improve every game. There is a long time between now and the new year, but if I was forced to give an answer then I'd say the Spurs front six would look something like this, if Mata made the switch.

------Sandro-------Capoue------

-------------Paulinho--------------

Lamela------------------------Mata

-------------Soldado----------------

What do you reckon Spurs fans, where would you fit him in?

Comments

[Subbed after 70]

Not happening - if it did someone would be leaving - likely to be either Gylfi or Holtby

[Matt]

It is clear AVB (And I) prefer Dembele playing deeper....Not as attacking mid.

So the holding two is either Paulinho or Sandro alongside Dembele (Capoue as additional cover/rotation)

Attacking three is Lamela (Right)----Eriksen----Mata (Left) with rotation and cover from Lennon/Siggy/Holtby/Chandli

Soldado up front....

Getting Mata is a bit of a pipe dream....but it is clear from the players we're being linked with that AVB wants Lamela on the right, so needs a top class leftwing or left sided attacking mid to fight with Chandli for the position....But he would also like someone who would be able to fill other positions (across the front 3 or cover for Soldado).....So Mata / Al Sharaawy / etc. all fit the bill of being able to fill multiple positions in attack (This is why he wanted Willian, left mid but can play centre mid and striker)

[Dean in Brum]

Dembele is not the right sort of player to start where you have positioned him, i.e. behind Soldado. And to pick him over Eriksen - that would never happen anyway, if all those players were available for selection.

[hekko]

Back four (whoever)

Sandro/Paulinho - Dembele/Capoue

Lamela - Eriksen/Holtby - Sigi/Chadli/Townsend

Soldado/Defoe

Mata won't happen. But if it did he would be on the left

[DB]

Looks as if we have 2 good players in every position right now, with too many on the right (Lennon, Lamela, Townsend) and only Chadli on the left. Siggy is very versatile and you could see AVB putting him on the left against Norwich so maybe that is part of the solution.

If we get Mata, I'd say he replaces Sigurdsson (general view seems to be that Holtby is too good to lose and will seriously compete with Erikssen as he improves/gains fitness), but Siggy is one of our home-grown players and we don't have so many of them. So, getting Mata doesn't look like part of the plan - but if he was available opportunistically, who could resist? he is a great player.

[Mikee]

What makes anyone think that Chelsea will sell Mata to us or any other premiership rival? Don't forget, we refused to sell them Modric, (remember him?)