Juan Mata: 'I had my best season in England under Rafael Benitez'

Juan Mata has admitted that the season working under Rafael Benitez at Chelsea was his best year in England so far.

The 27-year-old spent three years at Stamford Bridge before signing for Manchester United in 2014.

In the 2012-13 campaign, Benitez took charge of the Chelsea team on a temporary basis following Roberto Di Matteo's exit in November, and Mata credits his fellow Spaniard for giving him his best year in English football.

"I had a great experience with him," Mata told Al Primer Toque. "It was my best year in England, in which I had the best statistics. He gave me enormous confidence to play and made me feel important in the team."

"He is a strategic coach, but not defensive. He prepares his tactics a lot and we as players need to know how to use that."

Benitez, who spent six years coaching Liverpool, is now in charge at Real Madrid.