John Terry has tipped Juan Mata to observe in the footsteps of one other of his former Chelsea teammates after retiring.
The Spaniard was handled to a shock message from his previous captain throughout an look on Thursday’s talkSPORT Breakfast present.
4
Mata joined Alan Brazil and Gabby Agbonlahor live from Australia, the place he at the moment performs for Melbourne Victory.
The 37-year-old has additionally loved spells in Turkey and Japan since leaving the Premier League in 2022.
However, previous to his eight years with Manchester United, Mata performed alongside Terry at Stamford Bridge.
Between 2011 and 2014, the pair made 75 appearances collectively for the Blues.
They additionally gained three trophies throughout their time as team-mates, with Chelsea lifting the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
Mata performed an important function in their victory over Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League remaining.
The midfielder grabbed the help for Chelsea’s equaliser as his nook discovered Didier Drogba’s head to drag the English aspect degree.
Terry sends message
Although he later missed their first penalty in the subsequent shootout, Terry nonetheless has fond reminiscences of Mata’s half in the triumph.
So a lot so, that he surprised the 37-year-old with a voicenote throughout his talkSPORT interview.
The heart-warming message shocked Mata as Terry hailed the ‘little maestro’ and tipped him for administration as soon as he hangs up his boots.
4
In the message, Terry mentioned: “I just wanted to say a big hello to the little maestro and the guy that helped us win the Champions League in 2012.
“The man who took the nook that arrange Didier’s objective, the header. I even have an image of that precise nook in my workplace due to this man and the trophy.
“What an amazing, amazing player, top, top player. More importantly, above all of that, a great man as well and a great person to have around as well.
“Always what I liked about Juan is in actually tough conditions, he’d at all times see the finest in a extremely powerful state of affairs.
“He always had a really mature head on young shoulders and I think people like him and Cesc Fabregas, they see the game in a completely different way to other people because they’re special, special talents.
“I believe he’s going to be a high supervisor or a high coach if he goes into that house post-retirement.
4
“Juan, I hope you’re well mate. I love you, I miss you and I hope to see you soon.”
Mata was left speechless as he smiled after listening to the message from the former Chelsea skipper.
The World Cup winner had solely been 23-years-old when he joined the membership from Valencia in 2011.
Mata on Chelsea exit
After simply two-and-a-half years, although, Mata was bought to United by Jose Mourinho.
He has now lifted the lid on why he left the membership after having fun with a stellar first two seasons in west London.
Mata defined: “It was in my third season, we had a couple of changes in the club with players and the coach.
4
“It was a proven fact that I didn’t play as a lot as I used to be used to and I used to be of course not blissful with that state of affairs coming from these two seasons.
“I tried to keep going, I stayed professional, of course respected the players that were playing at the time and it came to a finish because in December I had the opportunity to go to Manchester United.
“We each, Chelsea and myself, thought that was the most suitable choice and likewise when you’ve got the alternative to play for a membership like United, I believe it’s tough to say no.”
Mourinho succeeded interim boss Rafael Benitez at the start of the 2013/14 campaign.
Mata subsequently made just 11 starts in the Premier League during the first half of the season, failing to score and providing just two assists.
He would go on to win another Europa League and FA Cup with United as well as lifting the League Cup for the Red Devils.
Across his time in England, Mata made 278 Premier League appearances, scoring 52 goals and adding 56 assists.
Having left United in 2022, he joined Victory in September following a year with fellow A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers.
Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United on 27 February kicks off at 8:35am in the UK and will be headlined by a special performance by Melbourne-based DJ Orkestrated, who will be performing pre-game and at half-time.
If you’re in Melbourne, tickets start from $35. Follow @GOMVFC on socials and go to MelbourneVictory.com.au for extra info and to go to the Victory Shop.
