Why is Chelsea's star Juan Mata stuck on the bench?

Chelsea fans held up this sign directed at Jose Mourinho during the Champions League last week.

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In the meantime, Mata has to bide his time and wait for an opportunity to prove himself again. On Saturday, Chelsea travel to Spurs and a reunion with former coach Andre Villas-Boas -- "a really good guy," Mata said. In the corresponding fixture just under a year ago, Mata scored twice and set up another as Chelsea won 4-2 at White Hart Lane. The fourth goal came when Mata chased down and tackled Kyle Walker on the touchline and squared it to Daniel Sturridge. Mourinho would have been proud. Eleven months later, the landscape has changed for Mata in a way that no-one could have predicted. At least he has a bit more time to read some Murakami.