However - I think AVB's plan is to play Mata either left or Right side of a front three!

@ BrummieBlue

You could be right, but I do think he may be better in the Lampard position. Like a David Silva position, not a touchline winger, but more attacking midfielder on the left. Our natural winger is yet to be signed IMO.

I´m assuming Mata on the left and Studge on the right.

Couldn`t agree more

No, Mata is not a midfielder for a 4-3-3 position. He can not spray passes like Modric or even Mikel from deep, would not track back and can't defend. Having said that I would not mind both coming and Modric not coming because we could line-up like this:

-----------Ramires-----Mikel--------------
-----Sturridge---Mata-----Hazard--------
-------------------Torres------------------

This is a good role for Mata as he is playing off the striker and is in the centre but he is still advanced, and does not have much defensive responsibities

I don't like that formation. Mata has had all his success playing off the striker, or as a winger at Valencia. Why risk dropping him back into midfield so to speak.

For that reason I think we should still go for Modric.

There isn't a central position for Mata in a 4-3-3, if we played him central it would have to be in the hole in a 4-2-3-1.

I think AVB will eventually play Mata on the left and Sturridge on the right which will be fantastic but we'll still only have the pantomime villain Anelkalouda as back-up.

Modric is still on our wish list.

The above formation I think as much eliminates the need for Modric. You can argue we still need a playmaker but that's still a very strong side. Equally as strong as if we didnt get Hazard and got Modric

These are the words of Andy Brassell on the BBC:

"You can argue Mata brings something Chelsea have lacked since Arjen Robben left - a player with real acceleration who can put defenders on the back foot. I do not think it means an end to Chelsea's efforts to sign Luka Modric as, while Mata can play in the centre, I would be very surprised if he did for Chelsea. I would imagine he will play on the right with Florent Malouda on the left. He is creative and has two good feet, although he is predominantly left-footed. Mata is quite a modest and down-to-earth guy and can be a key player for Chelsea for years to come".

I don't think we need Modric but we do need someone but not Hazard as he is to similar to Mata

We have been craving a player to go into one of those two positions for ages in place of Anelka, Kalou and Malouda, so it would make no sense to put him back into midfield and carry on at squaare one with our front three.
Why put even more pegs into square holes! Just a thought!

I`d say buy Hazard now before someone else gets him

Modric yes please
Modric is the only player available right now who can provide chances for Torres and can put Lampard on the bench

I can´t see us buying Hazard now that we´re getting Mata.

I think that Modric deal will be completed soon.

Right now, Modric or Hazard would bebrilliant signings, but if I was to choose...I think I'll go for Hazard.
The guy is a proper winger...more direct, hugs the touchline, pacey, excellent dribbling and crossing abilities, in fact...the list goes on.

Bloody got to say I agree...a team with Hazard Mata and Sturridge is just so much more dangerous and has more goals in than Hazard and Mata. But either would still be fantastic

*hazard and Modric

Journalists in Belgium reckon Hazard can be as good as Ronaldo.

But I agree with SuperbFrank I can't see us going for him as well as Mata.

We'll probably get Modric on the final day for an inflated price.

I heard the club are unwilling to pay the 35million euros/pounds price tag put on Hazard by his club though because they see him as too much or a risk as he hasn't been tested in one of the top leagues. I think we need one more winger though and need to offload 2 of Anelka/Kalou/Malouda. Willian would do, Hazard would be better though.
We need Modric though imo, doesn't matter how good our front line is, we need to get the ball to them QUICKLY which is something our current midfield can't do.

Super Dan Sturridge

Yeah, but Mata can play in the hole.
He can still be that creative spark in the middle of the park, while Hazard plays on the left.

When Mikel is in a midfield 2 he moves the ball pretty quickly and is always looking for the forward pass due to lack of options.

Yea but we need a deep playing playmaker. Luiz can do it to an extent, but we need one in the centre of midfield. I don't think we will play 4-2-3-1 either. It will be a 4-3-3 sometimes turning into a 4-4-2 diamond, with Mata at the top and Dan moving up to partner Torres during games.

I usually find the midfield are quite positive. Ramires pushes forward well and Mikel passes well but it's when it reaches the wings it slows down as Anelka and Malouda have a policy of holding onto the ball for at least 5 seconds before releasing it.

Mikel could do it but you have to play with wingers like man united got to have Mikel doing the play maker job efficiently.