Legend: Zola is arguably Chelsea's greatest player

But the 5'7" attacking midfielder appears to have no trouble in the more aggressive games of the Premier League, just as the dimunitive Zola managed to thrive in England.

'I'm big and strong!' said Mata. 'It's different football, much more physical, different rhythm to it, different pace. In Spain there's much more possession but playing a different kind of football helps me improve.

'It's something I'v​​e got to get used to. Referees are different in Spain, here you play more often without fouls being given. But you have to just take it. 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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