Juan Mata
The 23-year-old winger has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea, after being linked with other major clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham. Mata scored on his debut in Premier League game against Norwich City. He was given the number 10 shirt, the same number that he wore while playing for Valencia and Spain's Under 21s. REUTERS

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata 'looks like a star in the making', according to BBC Football pundit Garth Crooks.

Chelsea's diminutive Spaniard has made a seamless transition to English football following his big money move from Valencia in the summer, and he was a key figure in the Blues' comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.

The 23-year-old played a part in all three goals at Stamford Bridge including scoring the third, and he is now got the second most assists in the Premier League with six, narrowly behind his compatriot David Silva, who has seven.

Crooks suggests Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas should make the Spanish international the fulcrum of his side and supplement his obvious skills with more young players.

"This lad has come to Stamford Bridge without a great fanfare but every time I see him he looks like a star in the making.

"(He) provided the flair and inspiration for a desperately needed Chelsea win (against Wolves).

"I wonder whether Andre Villas-Boas now has the courage to phase out the old and bring in the new."

Mata's eye-catching display alleviated some of the pressure surrounding their under-fire boss Villas-Boas, and the lavishly gifted youngster was eager to stress their Portuguese tactician still had the backing of the Chelsea squad.

"It's never easy to have such negative results, but we all have a lot of faith in ourselves as a team. We have a lot of faith in our coach and in the quality of the squad," Mata told The Daily Telegraph.

"We had a team meeting last week simply to reiterate that we are all together and that we are heading in the same direction and we showed that against Wolves.

"The group has always been very united, and we have always been sure that the secret in enjoying more success as we go forward, in getting out of this moment, has been to stay strong and stay together."