3. Juan Mata – Chelsea
The Premier League is not an easy place to come for a big fee when you’re 22 years of age. Especially when you’re as quiet and reserved as Juan Mata.
However, not one to let that sort of thing bother him, Mata set about making himself one of the buys of the season by notching 12 goals in 54 appearances as well as an incredible 22 assists. Those great numbers were of course crowned with a Champions League title too.
Not a bad year all round then!
Building on a strong maiden campaign, the former Valencia man has already bettered his own personal best with four games of the domestic season still remaining. In 56 games this time around he’s bagged 18 goals and 31 assists, confirming him as one of the most creative players in the world.
It’s been another season of transition at Stamford Bridge and the managerial merrygoround continued to spin and the club have felt the pressure since appointing Rafa Benitez on an interim basis. But the side’s one constant has been Mata who is now a firmly established Spanish international now too.