JUAN MATA has done most to keep the Blue flag flying this season.
The brilliant Spaniard takes on Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley tomorrow.SunSport’s Rob Beasley caught him with the Chelsea ace and brought his tape recorder along...
Rob Beasley: Why is Wembley so special to you?
Juan Mata: In my first season in England I won my first trophy with Chelsea there — the FA Cup — so it is a very special venue for me.
But even when I was playing in Spain I realised that Wembley was one of the most important football stadiums in the world because of all its history staging the big matches and so many finals.
Then, after I came to England, I experienced what it was like to actually play there.
My first match there was for Spain against England last season and then with Chelsea I really enjoyed the semi-finals and final of last year's FA Cup.
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JM: Yaya is one of the best midfielders in the world.
He is the complete player. He can defend, attack, score, dribble, he has great skills and he's so tall and powerful.
It is so difficult to defend against him. We have very good midfielders too and will try to deal with him but not just him... all their team because City are a very, very good side.
RB: David Silva is more your size, how highly do you rate him?
JM: We played together at Valencia for three years and I really enjoyed playing with him.
He is so talented — his left foot is absolutely amazing. I love the way he plays — always with the ball looking for assists and goals.
So I know it will be very difficult for us if he is able to play... but I don’t know if he will make it.
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JM: It can be difficult to stay close to the floor and live a real life.
But I’m just a normal guy who’s fortunate enough to play football at the top level, so I realise I’m living a very lucky life.
I try to live like my parents taught me and I try hard to stay like my friends. If I ever forget, my family and friends will always tell me “Hey come down, come back to earth.”
RB: Is it easy to keep your old friends in this new world you find yourself in?
JM: They will be my friends for life. I keep in touch with them even though we’re all in different cities — London, Amsterdam, Hamburg — all over. There’s seven or eight of us and we still meet up whenever we can, we still go on holidays together.
RB: First class and five-star luxury or back-packing?
JM: The money can definitely help — you have the opportunity to travel wherever and whenever you want and that makes life easier.
But with my friends it’s completely normal — we travel by train, by boat. We’ve been to Iceland, to the US and we went on a road trip through the south of Spain.
I really enjoyed that — hanging out and having fun like we used to at school. Just like old times.
RB: So what is your biggest extravagance?
JM: I have an Aston Martin like James Bond. I really like that car so when I could I bought one. There’s nothing wrong with that — everyone can do whatever they want with their own lives.
RB: You have a reputation as a good guy, a nice guy. Have you ever done anything bad?
JM: I remember once in my home city of Oviedo, some friends and I were trying to get into a bar even though we were too young. I had someone else’s identity card, someone older than me. I also tried to grow a beard to look older — and we were lucky, we got in. But that’s about it.
RB: How do you spend your spare time?
JM: I love living in London, it’s more relaxed than Spain and I can live more normally.
Every day off I try to explore a different part of the city. I jump on the Tube or a bus, go for a walk. I’ve visited different museums, art galleries and big important buildings.
I saw the Rolling Stones and Coldplay at the O2 — I’m getting into English music. I wish I could play an instrument — the guitar or piano. I think I will try.
RB: Some fans are worried you will leave if Chelsea don’t finish in the top four, is that a possibility?
JM: I will say now I’m really sure we’ll finish in the top four and will be playing Champions League football next season.
RB: There’s been talk you’ve been offered a new deal, is there any truth in that.
JM: No.
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