The whole Mata being sold saga has made this transfer look forgotten.

 

Hopefully he gets a start against Stoke on Sunday.

Thank you Juan Mata. I hope you succeed in your personal goals. Its heart breaking but need to understand that this is word cup year and he is at his prime and needs to play. We also need to understand that we got premium value in exchange. I'll cheer for him (except when he plays against Chelsea) because he gave it all when playing for Chelsea. I hope Chelsea fans hold their grudges against him and wish well for him in his future endeavors. But boy its gonna hurt real bad when watching him play in Red shirt. No Doubt #GoodluckMata

^ wrong thread mate, this is MatIC not MatA

I don't see how Matic's arrival will have any impact on David Luiz's future, it's not as if we're brimming with depth at centre half.

Been impressed with him so far today

I don't want this to turn into a Mikel debate because I do like Mikel, but I have to say that I think Matic might be one of the best (re)signings we have made in a while. The guy is massive and moves with some really decent pace. I can see how he can really control a game.

Edited January 26, 201412 yr by BrewCrew

This guy has been an absolute beast today. Calm without being careless or casual, what a fantastic signing.

And yes, I'm well aware it's only one game and against Stoke, still impressed.

MOTM for me.

Him and Lamps looked da bomb...!!

Impressed with how many times he broke up Stokes play and also the large area he worked. I'm sure his passing will improve more when he has had more games and gets to know the other players movements better. I would also like to see him with Ramires in the pivot.

^ wrong thread mate, this is MatIC not MatA

my bad. perhaps losing mata is too much for me  apologies

Faded in the 2nd half but all round done some really good things. Could be a real good signing.

Watch. This. Space

Impressed with how many times he broke up Stokes play and also the large area he worked. I'm sure his passing will improve more when he has had more games and gets to know the other players movements better. I would also like to see him with Ramires in the pivot.

thought his passing was great, played a couple of incisive balls, one of which resulted in schurrle hitting the post. Really promising debut, and I agree it will be awesome to see him with ramires.

I thought he was excellent today, even when having given the ball away near the end on the half way line he had the positional awareness to intercept the Stoke attack on the edge of the box. Looks a good acquisition in a position we have been short the last few years. A very solid debut.

His tackling and breaking up is good. Thought he switched off a couple of times though and didnt see people coming into him when he had the ball. Couple of poor passes....but he is still getting settled

Looks really, really good ... !

superb debut. looked athletic, good on the ball... could prove to be a crucial signing for the rest of the season

I thought he was brilliant as well, hopefully he's the answer to our midfield troubles.  I can't wait to see him and Ramires up against City's midfield.

Was solid today - Stoke's midfield is woeful though 

Thought he had a very good game today. Overhit a few passes early on which i put down to nerves, better to overhit than give too short hospital balls.

 

His breakup play and positional awareness was excellent and I dont think he give away a foul today which being his first game, keen to impress, i 

think showed good control.

Looks an excellent prospect.

Think I forgot to say welcome when he signed. How rude of me...

Anyway, welcome and well done, lad. A superb, steady game from you today. Hopefully the first of many.

Didn't catch the game. What advantages did he show over Mikel?

Didn't catch the game. What advantages did he show over Mikel?

Fast with the ball,intercepted everything and sprayed the ball all over the pitch

Didn't catch the game. What advantages did he show over Mikel?

I won't compare the two otherwise it'll start a war but I will say what I saw from Matic today and people can compare it to Mikel's attributes.

1. Quick, at times one touch, passing opening the play or settling it down.

2. Intercepted all sorts of balls, floor, body height, aerial with strength and quick thinking/movement

3. Covered a lot of the pitch, seemingly doubling up for whoever was marking/tracking back

4. Kept calm but showed urgency, he wasn't carelessly casual with it.

I don't think I've gone too OTT either, he looked at home and slotted in beautifully. I'm sure he has weaknesses but his positives crushingly outweighed them today. Sterner opposition to come of course so we'll see, very good performance today though.