Mata: Jose one of the best

Juan Mata would welcome the appointment of Jose Mourinho as Chelsea's new manager and says they must aspire to win the Premier League.



Mourinho is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish league season and is expected to return to Stamford Bridge, where the managerial post is vacant following the end of Rafa Benitez's interim spell in charge.



Mata arrived at the club after Mourinho's departure but is well aware of everything the Portuguese has achieved and would be happy to see him handed the reins.

"Jose is one of the best," Mata said. "He won everything in every country he was - in Portugal, in Italy, in London with Chelsea, and in Spain as well.



"We don't know really what is going to happen but if he comes he is welcome because he is one of the best and Chelsea always want to be a top side.



"If he comes we are going to be happy to have him."



He said: "What I know is that Madrid is a massive club with a lot of pressure on them, and it shouldn't be easy to be manager of Real Madrid.



"If he comes we will try and do our best with him, or whoever, to win the title, because one challenge for me will be to win the Premier League."

Mourinho has faced criticism during his time at Real Madrid and will finish this season without a major trophy, but Mata believes he could help Chelsea challenge for major honours next year.

Mata loving London life

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has been a big hit since making the move to London from Valencia in August 2011 - and the 25-year-old feels right at home in the 'Big Smoke'.

Mata, who lives in an apartment on the banks of the river Thames, is a big fan of the English capital and told  exactly what he loves about London.

"Since I came I felt like was living at home in this amazing city," he said. "I always wanted to live in London. It's one of the best cities in the world.

"It's much bigger than I expected - like different cities together in one. It has different parts and there are a lot of places to go.

"I'd rather go to small places and streets like in Notting Hill and Soho rather than Big Ben or the London Eye - I like the east Brick Lane and Borough market.

The Spain international also insists the British weather has failed to put a dampener on his love of London life, adding: "I grew up in Asturias in northern Spain and it's very much the same weather!"

Mata is also quick to reveal another of the reasons he came to London - Spain and Chelsea team-mate Fernando Torres.

"He (Torres) was calling me, trying to get me here," Mata added. "He knew I would enjoy it here. I am grateful to him - he was an important part to why I came."

But it is football that is Mata's main reason for being in London - and he is loving life in England as much on the pitch as he is off it.

"It's been incredible," he said. "It was my first season in another country and we won the Champions League and the FA Cup. It was amazing. I learnt a lot and grew as a person.

"Winning Chelsea player of the year - and being nominated by the Chelsea supporters - it made my year completely perfect. Winning those trophies and being named player of the year - it was a perfect season for me.

"One thing that makes English football different is the support - you can feel it, you can smell it," Mata said. "Even when you play away, you don't feel alone. I think it's the one of the reasons why English football is so special."

Chelsea star sets target

Chelsea attacker Juan Mata is confident that they can finish in third place at the end of the season after their 1-0 win over Manchester United.



The result means that Tottenham Hotspur have to beat the Blues on Wednesday in order to stop them securing a top-four finish in goal difference.



Vital win



Speaking to Sky Sports, Mata said: “It was a very, very important victory for us, it was like a final and we have another great game to come next week, so we will try to win and get closer to our aim, which is third.”



The Spaniard, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, and he thinks that he has plenty more goals in his locker.



“It is true that I am scoring more goals than ever and I’m really happy. The only thing I want is to keep scoring and keep up my assists to help my team until the end.”



Unbeaten finish



The 25-year-old is confident that his side will end up playing in the Champions League next season.



“We have three more Premier League games to play and the only the thing we want is to win every game because I think Chelsea deserve to play in the Champions League next season.



“If we play like we did today then I think we can do it.”



As well as pressing for a top-four finish, Chelsea could be in line for European silverware at the end of the season as they face Benfica in the final of the Europa League in Amsterdam.

Mata: Benitez is a great manager

Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has hailed Rafael Benitez, insisting his fellow Spaniard is a "great" manager.



The 53-year-old was appointed by the London club on an interim basis after UEFA Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo was relieved of his duties in November.



But his arrival was poorly received by a large section of the club's support, with the former Liverpool coach being roundly booed throughout his first few fixtures at the helm.



However, with Chelsea's bid for a top-four finish and UEFA Europa League glory having picked up pace of late, Mata believes his compatriot deserves praise.



"Rafa is a manager who has had great seasons at every club that he was at," he said. "And since he came he's just tried to do his best with the team, analysing the rivals, getting ready for every game and trying to do his best for the team.



"So for me and for the players I think he's a great manager. We are now at the end of the season trying to be in the third position so that's where we're aiming and having a chance to win a trophy so maybe the season at the end will be good for us and for Rafa as well and that will be because of his job."



The Spain international went on to lament his side's failure to progress beyond the group stages when defending their UEFA Champions League crown this term.



"We were out from the group and every time I watched a game on TV from the Champions League I think it's a shame," he added.



"But on the other hand, I would rather be positive and think we have a chance to win another trophy as we did last season.



"So obviously to get out in the first group was a disappointment for us and the club but suddenly we have a chance. So you never know until the end and you now have another chance to win a big trophy."