Frank Lampard has compared the influence of Juan Mata on the Chelsea team to that of Manchester City attacker David Silva.

Reports in the summer criticised the Blues for lacking a creative spark in midfield, but Lampard believes that 23-year-old Mata has now addressed that problem.

"[Mata] has definitely added a lovely dimension to our team," said the England midfielder.

"We had a very good unit but it's great to have someone with his sort of jinky creative ability that can offer something else.

"Juan's a little bit like Silva at Man City. He's got that similar quality and that is only going to improve us."

Mata and Silva were former teammates at Spanish club Valencia.

Written by
Liam Apicella