Wednesday, 21st August, 2013
Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has revealed that he is fit and ready to play in the Blues’ second Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa today.
The Spanish international picked up a minor muscle injury during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States and did not feature for Chelsea in their 2-0 victory over Hull City Tigers on Sunday.
The 25-year-old even missed his country’s friendly match against Ecuador on 14th August, but is now keen to feature for the first time in a competitive game for the Blues this season.
Mata explained to his club’s official site: ”Now I am looking forward to being involved. It was better to stop and I didn't go to the national team, but now I am ready to play.
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“After my first game in pre-season when I played 45 minutes against Inter, I felt my thigh was a bit tight, I carried on in the second game against Milan, but the day before Real Madrid I felt more pain.
“We did a scan and I had a small problem, which can be dangerous in that muscle because I shoot with that left foot, so I stopped and didn't train for a few days.
“I came back, worked with the physios and on Thursday last week trained with the team for the first time, not at 100 per cent, but trying to get to my best and now I feel better and am looking forward to playing and starting my season.”
Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011 on a five-year-deal.
His 17 goals and 30 assists in 69 Premier League games for the Blues helped him to bag the Chelsea Player of the Year award on two consecutive occasions.
The attacking midfielder also has 27 caps and eight goals for Spain to his name.
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