Mata loving life in London

Chelsea star Juan Mata says he is “really happy” in London and that he wants to stay in the English capital for as long as possible.

The Spanish playmaker scored 19 goals and laid on an incredible 35 assists in his 64 Chelsea appearances last season.

That sort of form has seen the 25-year-old wizard linked with switches to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, but ahead of Sunday’s FIFA Confederations Cup final against Brazil, Mata says he loves life in the English capital.

“I love London and all of the famous buildings,” Mata said.

“It’s too early to call it home but I am really happy and content. The English people are so friendly and that includes the players.

“From the first day, all the English players at the club, players such as Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Ross Turnbull all made me feel really welcome.

“It’s more relaxed in England than in Spain. People are more respectful and friendly without bothering you too much.”

Mata’s outstanding 2013-14 campaign has led the club’s supporters to compare him with another foreign star of theirs, Italian Gianfranco Zola.

And while Mata has some distance to go to replicate the feats of Zola – who scored 80 goals in over 300 appearances for the club – he has made a good start.

“It’s really a great honour to me for Chelsea’s fans to compare me to Zola, especially as he achieved so much with Chelsea and Italy,” the Spaniard added.

“But I feel I have a lot to do yet. Last season was good for me but I want to do better next season.

“I need to win the Premier League for the first time. Then the Champions League again.”