Former Chelsea midfielder, Juan Mata has spoken of his time at Stamford Bridge, and the support he received from the Chelsea fans.

Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011, and was an instant success at the club, helping the Blues win the UEFA Champions League in 2012, the FA Cup, and the Europa League.

The 35-year-old was also a part of the famous Chelsea attacking trio called ‘MAZACAR’— consisting of himself, Eden Hazard and Oscar. In their days together, the three players were the deadliest in the Premier League, and while writing on his blog recently, Mata reflected on the successes he achieved, as well as the warm welcome the fans gave him upon his arrival from Spain.

“I still get that feeling from Chelsea fans. I’m so grateful for the love they gave me,” he said (per chelseafc.com).

“I understand it was a great time to be a Chelsea fan, winning the Champions League, winning the FA Cup and the Europe League.

“I was also just so lucky to be there at that time. It was a very important part of my life.

“In your career you need talent, you need professionalism, you need consistency, but you also need luck to be in the right place at a certain time. I feel that I was at that time at Chelsea.

“I felt very good on the pitch, I felt very confident and I felt very grateful, because I could feel the support of the fans.

“I felt that ever since I arrived. That pushed me to try to get better and better. Thankfully we could give them the reward that they deserved: trophies, goals., and good football,” the attacker adds.

Mata currently plays for Japanese club, Vissel Kobe.