Juan Mata insists that it is premature to compare him to Chelsea's all-time greatest player Gianfranco Zola, even though the Spanish winger has made a superb start to the season.

Mata, who has scored twice since his arrival in England, has looked to be Chelsea's most creative player since the Zola days, but the Spaniard is aware of Zola's reputation at the club, where many fans would regard him as the most talented player to represent Chelsea.

Juan day: Mata (above) might be as good as Zola... in time

Mata, who is expected to return to the Chelsea line up against QPR on Sunday after being rested in midweek, said: 'Zola is a legend and a historical player here. It's an honour to be compared to him but I've got lots to do before I can get close to him.

It was important to score in my first game here.

'That gives you confidence. And when you round about you players of this quality it makes things very easy for you.

'It's a new era at Chelsea with a new coach clearly and he likes offensive football. I try to do a type of football that's similar to what I used to do in Spain and try to help with that type of football.'

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