Unemployed Juan Mata training in London as former Man Utd star gives update on his future after Vissel Kobe exit

9 months ago 62

FORMER Manchester United star Juan Mata is now training in London after departing Japanese side Vissel Kobe.

The 35-year-old Spanish midfielder revealed that he has not yet decided on his next destination in football.

Mata won the league with his former side Vissel Kobe last term and is now back training in London[/caption]

Currently a free agent, Mata has confirmed he will not be hanging up his boots just yet.

The Spaniard may have made just one appearance for the club, coming on as a substitute for the final ten minutes of a 2–0 away loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima last September.

But Mata still received a medal as Vissel Kobe was crowned J1 League champions that season.

Speaking on his future Mata told Spanish outlet AS: “I haven’t left football and I’m not thinking about retiring. I’m training here in London.

“As you know, I was in Japan, at Vissel Kobe. It was a unique experience, very different both culturally and sportingly.

“We were able to win the league, which was a great end to my experience there.

“I like to live experiences through football in different countries, which maybe I wouldn’t have otherwise.

“I also like to keep competing to win leagues, which I hope I can continue to do.

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“So yes, I’m going to keep playing. I’m taking a few weeks to decide and preparing physically.”

Mata revealed he is only training in London as he still has a house here after speculation that his next club could be in the Premier League.

He continued: “No, it’s simply because I have a home here. I spent a lot of time in England, both in London and Manchester.

“And I also have a physical trainer, fields, gyms… I know a lot of people here to prepare me, and I’ve done it before.

Looking towards his future the 2010 World Cup winner has not ruled out a move to Saudi Arabia.

He continued: “I don’t know. I haven’t stopped to decide, I just want to see the options that exist.

“And from there make an assessment at a competitive, family level, country level.”

In 2011, Mata signed for English club Chelsea for a fee in the region of £24million from Valencia and became the team’s focal player.

In his first two seasons, he won the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Europa League.

Mata fell out of favour at Chelsea under newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho and was sold to United in January 2014, for a fee of £37.1 million.

He made 285 appearances over nine seasons at United, winning the Europa League and FA Cup again as well as the EFL Cup and FA Community Shield.

The midfielder joined Galatasaray after his contract with United ran out in the summer of 2022, where he won the first league title of his career before heading to Japan.

Meanwhile, Mata’s former teammate who is also a free agent David de Gea is still on the hunt for a club.

While Saudi Arabia and England clubs have shown interest in the former Red Devils shot-stopper he is prioritising a move in Spain with Barcelona as a potential prospect.