Wayne Rooney versus Juan Mata…
Chelsea have reportedly had a £10m plus Juan Mata bid for Wayne Rooney rejected.
Is Mourinho naive for offering one of the Premier League’s best players last season in a swap deal? Or is Moyes smart for rejecting it?
Let’s take a look at their stats from last season to get a better idea.
Beside the statistic, the player who performed better in that particular element is shown in brackets.
The statistics:
Mata and Rooney were two of only four players who hit double figures on both goals and assists in the Premier League last season.
-Rooney scored 12, and assisted ten, whereas Mata scored and assisted 12 each. (Mata)
-Mata’s chance conversion rate was stronger than Rooney’s, converting 26.2 per cent of his, compared to Rooney’s 18.2 per cent. (Mata)
-He also made more than double the key passes Rooney did last year, with 83 compared to the United forward’s 39. (Mata)
-Their pass accuracy was very similar, with Mata just pipping Rooney with 85 per cent to 83 per cent. (Mata)
-The Spaniard helped create 95 chances, compared to Rooney’s 49. (Mata)
-The English man only made 27 appearances however, whereas Mata made 35 – so his goal and assist return is arguably more impressive. (Rooney)
-Rooney also made two defensive contributions per match, and Mata only made one. (Rooney)
-Surprisingly, Mata won 55 per cent of his duels, but Rooney only won 41 per cent of his. (Mata)
Analysis:
It seems Chelsea’s bid is based on Rooney’s contribution over the last nine seasons, and not on the player’s performances last year. Mata was more creative than his English counterpart, and more than matched the striker for goals scored and assists.
Rooney’s defensive contribution was marginally more impressive, but the players’ primary role is to perform in the attacking half of the pitch – so their contribution will be predominantly judged on this.
Rooney has scored 197 goals for United over the past nine years, and Chelsea are gambling that the striker would rediscover his best form if he was given a fresh start in London.
Mata though, has a right to feel hard done by – after a season last year where he undeniably out performed the volatile Englishman.
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