Juan Mata has shown his form from last year in the past few games, scoring four goals in his last three appearances, and the Spanish international believes this Chelsea side are a much better outfit than the one that won the Champions League and FA Cup last season.
After being given a two-week break during the last international window, Mata has looked a man transformed, finding his touch that made him being named Chelsea's player of the year. The 24-year-old Spanish international is clearly loving life on the pitch with the Blues.
"I think we're playing like a mature team now," Mata is quoted as saying by the Daily Star. "Maybe in Denmark it wasn't the best game but we won 4-0. That's the sign of a mature team.
"I'm enjoying myself. I'm feeling really well now and trying to do my best every game. It was a good week for me and the team, with the win over Arsenal last Saturday, and the result in Copenhagen. We want to continue with this good run.
"But I think I have played better. I want to improve. I feel I can still do better. It was one of the best weeks for me. I played well against Stoke, then Wolves, then Arsenal and now Nordsjaelland. I'm feeling very well, but I want to feel better and improve.
"I have had a break, so I'm not feeling tired. I'm young and I want to play as much as I can."
Filled with ball-playing playmakers, Mata has been employed by Roberto Di Matteo in the right side of an exciting three-man group behind the striker, which also consists of Eden Hazard and Oscar, with two screening midfielders feeding them the ball at every opportunity.
With Marko Marin, also another equally capable playmaker, back in contention, Chelsea have an embarrassment of riches at that position, and Mata does not really care where or with whom he plays as long as the results keep coming.
"I don't care where I play," he added. "At the moment I'm playing right side, which is good because it means I can cut inside on to my left foot.
"When I play in the three behind the striker I can look for freedom with the ball and help with defending without the ball. It's important for all three of us to keep our positions.
"It is a lot of fun to play in this shape, to play with players who like to play with the ball, quality players. When you win, you enjoy it.
"Last year we won the Champions League and the FA Cup playing a certain way. Now I think we can do it better with Oscar, Hazard, whoever."
