Chelsea's Juan Mata (right) celebrates with new teammate Fernando Torres after Mata scored against Bayer Leverkusen during Champions League match. The Blues won 2-0. Ian Kington / Agence France-Presse

Valencia's Sergio Canales, left, fends off Barcelona's Carles Puyol during a match last Wednesday. Canales has emerged as a possible replacement for Juan Mata, who defected to Chelsea. Alberto Saiz / Associated Press

Mata prepares to face old team after jumping from Valencia to Chelsea for more money

VALENCIA, Spain - Chelsea striker Juan Mata will set old loyalties aside on Wednesday as he bids to put one over his former Valencia teammates in their Champions League clash.

The 23-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in August and is the latest big-money buy for Chelsea as it continues its Champions League quest.

It was inches away from success in the 2008 final when John Terry's penalty went just past the post, and since then the competition has started to be described as an obsession for the club.

Mata faces a Valencia side he knows as well as anyone after spending the past four years at the club.

"It is going to be a special game for me and while I had a great time there my priority is now Chelsea and I will go out to do my best," said Mata.

Chelsea manager Andres Villas Boas does not believe his team will be tired following consecutive games that ended with them down to 10 men.

"It should be okay and nothing to worry about as it is still early days in the league," he said, while admitting his team selection last Saturday against Swansea, which included leaving Frank Lampard on the bench, was influenced by this.

"We sent nine fresh players onto the pitch that didn't play Wednesday and I think that was important."

After one game so far in Group E, Chelsea leads the way following a victory over Bayer Leverkusen, while Valencia had a disappointing draw at Genk.

The return of Mata has hit the headlines in Valencia and his former roommate, Pablo Hernandez, is also looking forward to the game.

"On the pitch you don't have friends and so each player fights for their own team and we will be looking to beat Chelsea," said Hernandez.

"I still talk a lot to Juan and it is going to be good to play against him in a competition like the Champions League."

Valencia has started well in La Liga and held Barcelona to a 2-2 draw last week, but lost 1-0 away to Sevilla at the weekend.

"The game against Barcelona is important as a reference and shows that if we play that well we can beat anyone," said Hernandez. "It is true Chelsea play a different style to Barcelona with the ball but it will still be a demanding game."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 09/28/2011 page24)