• London Olympics 2012

Mata eager to shoot down Team GB at London 2012

ESPN staff
February 10, 2012
Juan Mata: 'It would be a long season but I am young' © Getty Images
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Chelsea forward Juan Mata has revealed he is desperate to represent Spain at both Euro 2012 and London 2012.

Mata, 23, has been a rare bright spot in what has often been a testing season for Chelsea, scoring five Premier League goals and contributing eight assists.

However, he has sparked concerns about burnout by making clear his desire to play in two tournaments this summer - a state of affairs that would not afford him much rest before the next Premier League campaign.

"It would be a long season but I am young," Mata told the Daily Mail. "For me, it would be the perfect summer to play in the Euros and then the Olympics. My desire is to play in both. It is something most players can do only once in their lives. Now it is our time. It would be the dream summer to win the Olympics and the Euros."

Mata joined the Blues for £23.5 million from Valencia over the summer, and he has no regrets over his decision because of the competitive nature of the Premier League. "There are two teams in Spain with 90 or 100 points," Mata said. "The other teams have to be third or fourth. Here maybe five or six teams can be winners. That makes the league more exciting."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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