According to AS, Leeds United are eyeing up a move for recently released Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata.
As ever, signing a player from Manchester United will be controversial amongst the Elland Road faithful, but this one may be easier to stomach due to Mata’s relationship with a true Leeds fan favourite.
Indeed, Mata is actually a close friend of Pablo Hernandez, and the Leeds icon is a big fan of Mata and his talents.
Hernandez has previously gone on the record to praise Mata.
What’s been said?
Hernandez pin-pointed Mata as a threat back when he was at Swansea ahead of a game against Chelsea.
“Mata is a big friend of mine. He was my roommate at Valencia for two years. We used to eat lunch and dinner together too. He’s a good player,” Hernandez said.
“He won’t be easy to stop but I have confidence in the Swansea defence.”
The praise didn’t stop their either, just two years ago the Spaniard was asked to name his dream six-a-side team for a feature with LUTV, and Mata made the cut there as well.
It’s clear that this move would get Hernandez’s seal of approval, and that should make the signing of a former Manchester United man that much more palatable for Leeds fans.
Pablo’s replacement
Ever since Hernandez left Leeds, the Whites have struggled to find someone to truly replace him.
Yes, they’ve had the likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison producing their own moments of magic in midfield, but they’ve not had a playmaker as silky as Hernandez since his departure.
Mata could well be Hernandez’s heir. The Spaniard has a very similar style of play, and much like Hernandez, a move to Elland Road late in his career could see one final resurgence for the veteran Spaniard.
This would be a very interesting signing, especially if Mata is deployed in Jesse Marsch’s patented 4-2-2-2 formation.
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