12 Jun MATA EYES PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY

Juan Mata has set his sights on lifting the Barclays Premier League trophy in the 2013/14 season.

The playmaker, who has been voted Player of the Year in each of his two seasons at Chelsea, has already sampled continental success with both the Champions League and Europa League trophies but is yet to win a domestic league title. He is hoping Jose Mourinho will be able to lead the side to that success on his return to Stamford Bridge.

Mata identifies a strong start to the season, following our pre-season trips to Asia and America, as the key. Last season we began well but quickly faded from the title race, but he is determined to keep the pace with a more experienced squad this time around.

‘Winning the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League was great, but I really want to win the Premier League title next season,’ said the Spaniard. ‘If we start well I think we can do it. We have a great squad and fantastic supporters behind us, so hopefully, we can do it. ‘

‘For me, it would be amazing to win four trophies in three seasons. It would be a very special feeling to win the Premier League title and I’m looking forward to hopefully doing so.’

‘I think we have the squad – we have enough class to do it.’

Before then, Mata competes with Spain in the Confederations Cup, traveling to Brazil after a two-game stay in America.

‘This is a special tournament for me since I had the chance to participate back in 2009, in my first competition with the senior team,’ he said.

‘I was lucky enough to play in our first Confederations Cup in South Africa, and it’s important because you gain experience of the country where the World Cup will be played, you get a feel for the place and the atmosphere. ‘

‘It’s also the only trophy missing for us and I think with our manager, the group of players and our winning mentality, we have a good chance of making it the perfect summer.’

‘It would be amazing for this group of players. We’ve won two Euros, the World Cup and winning the Confederations Cup would be the full circle.’

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