Mata

[red g]

I can totally see that point

There's two sides to it though - possibly Downing was a better choice because he's PL adjusted and Mata may take time to settle. But possibly Mata will settle quickly, and possibly he's a better player - which, if true, begs the question whether inferior players may harm our chances of getting into the top 4 THIS year.

There's definitely two sides to the debate on this one.

I can totally see that point. I genuinely think Mata is top draw for sure. but you said it so yourself possibly, I don't think we can take that chance this year. Every transfer is a gamble and our 'safe' approach may or may not be succesfull as you have mentioned.

the what if Mata doesnt settle is just to much of an issue when we have very little back up. In the ideal world we would have got both as we both know they are quite different players anyway, Mata would have been the perfect deputy for Suarez if injured as well, not sure you can say that about downing

[Craig_H]

I can totally see that point. I genuinely think Mata is top draw for sure. but you said it so yourself possibly, I don't think we can take that chance this year. Every transfer is a gamble and our 'safe' approach may or may not be succesfull as you have mentioned.

the what if Mata doesnt settle is just to much of an issue when we have very little back up. In the ideal world we would have got both as we both know they are quite different players anyway, Mata would have been the perfect deputy for Suarez if injured as well, not sure you can say that about downing

Our safe approach has the advantage that the player doesnt need time to adjust to the league, or english football (still may need to adjust to a big club, which can be a difficult one, mentally speaking for some players), but has the disadvantage that we've taken an inferior player. If the foreign player takes time to settle, that disadvantage is offset for the time he takes to settle.

Double edged sword

[Craig_H]

Didn't his Dad say he wanted to join a team in the CL if he was to leave Valencia? So whatever the fee and wages, that kind of ruled us out from the off.

Was apparently quoted as saying so. Whether it was true or not, we dont know. Despite your emphatic 'so thats the end of that then' tone on it

[Mostar]

Now with Mata becoming Chelsea's player Benny must be on the way out. Where though?

[Craig_H]

He'll come back to us. And a couple of weeks later, Harry will admit he tried but failed to get him.

[red g]

Our safe approach has the advantage that the player doesnt need time to adjust to the league, or english football (still may need to adjust to a big club, which can be a difficult one, mentally speaking for some players), but has the disadvantage that we've taken an inferior player. If the foreign player takes time to settle, that disadvantage is offset for the time he takes to settle.

Double edged sword

and one that will have many saying told you so in a few months, one way or another

[Mostar]

He'll come back to us. And a couple of weeks later, Harry will admit he tried but failed to get him.

[Craig_H]

and one that will have many saying told you so in a few months, one way or another

I've no doubt Mata is going to be brilliant and will settle fairly quickly, but i will be delighted to be proved wrong

[Mostar]

So we didn't even bid..

@Fourth_Official
Mata on signing for Chelsea "Arsenal and Spurs were interested, but they didn't come close to Chelsea"

[Mostar]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2028969/Redknapp-blasts-Mata-midfielder-verge-completing-29m-Chelsea-switch.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Redknapp blasts Mata after midfielder opts for Chelsea switch over Tottenham

Harry Redknapp claims Juan Mata is only joining Chelsea for the money with the midfielder close to completing his £29m move from Valencia to Stamford Bridge.

Redknapp says Tottenham came close to signing Mata but the winger snubbed them because he was offered higher wages at Stamford
Bridge.

The Spurs boss said: ‘We were in for Mata and close to doing a deal. But he didn’t come and Chelsea came in.

'Obviously they can blow you out of the water wage wise, and then he
changes his mind and they get him. It’s all about wages.’

[little dave hedgehog]

redknapp in "highest bidder wins an auction" shocker. i for one never would have guessed.

[McDermotX]

"We were in for _____ and close to doing a deal"

That's going to be inscribed on Redknapp's tombstone

[Roboklopp]

Embarrassing saggy-faced wheeler dealer ****.

[Mostar]

@Fourth_Official
Juan Mata waves farewell to Valencia during his leaving press conference #CFC http://twitter.com/Fourth_Official/s...255489/photo/1

[Mostar]

He doesn't sound too thrilled to join Chavs does he?

@Fourth_Official Fourth Official
Juan Mata - "What I want to convey is thanks to all of Valencia, all the people I lived with these four wonderful years" #CFC

@Fourth_Official
Juan Mata - "Chelsea's offer was important and I think it makes sense to see what has been done." #CFC

@Fourth_Official
Juan Mata - "I rejected important offers cheaper and less profitable for the club, but when it was Chelsea asked him to listen"