Mata targets Premier League success next

Posted Friday, May 17, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Juan Mata is targeting winning the Barclays Premier League with Chelsea after adding the Europa League to his already impressive haul of silverware.

The 25-year-old playmaker has won the World Cup and European Championships with Spain and has now added the Europa League to the Champions League Chelsea won in 2012.

Following the 2-1 win over Benfica in Amsterdam, Mata hopes to realise his ambition of winning the Premier League in his third season at Stamford Bridge next term.

"I feel very proud of what I have done, but I want to do more," Mata said.

"I want to win more trophies, for example the Premier League. It would be very special for me.

"It's the first time for a club to win the Champions League one season and the Europa League the following season.

"It's very difficult to do it in two consecutive seasons and I think we feel really proud of this team."

Brazil defender or midfielder David Luiz shares Mata's desire for a Premier League title.

"We need to win titles," Luiz said. "This is a big club. Always you have the opportunity to play big games, play important competitions, so next year Chelsea want more Europe titles, want the Premier League, want everything.

"The team has a lot of quality that's why we won two big trophies in two years.

"The Premier League this season was a little bit bad [but] I think this team has a lot of quality for the Premier League next year."

If Chelsea are to mount a Premier League title challenge Mata and Luiz will be key figures and so too will Frank Lampard.

Lampard, who lifted the Europa League trophy at the Amsterdam ArenA after captaining Chelsea in the final, has signed a one-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge to end the uncertainty over his future.

Mata said: "He has showed this season, scoring 16, 17 goals, he's one of the best midfielders in the world."

Luiz's influence has grown under interim boss Rafael Benitez, who will leave this summer, so much so that he has been mentioned as a possible future captain.

"I just try to show my personality, just try to help my team-mates," Luiz said.

"I just try to be involved in the club, because I love this club, I love to play for Chelsea and I love football."