Champions League

Juan Mata sure of top-four finish

By Liam Power, Reporter | 13 April 2013

Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata insists that he is sure the Blues will secure a top-four finish ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has declared that he is certain the Blues will secure Champions League qualification by finishing in the top four this season.

The Blues sit third in the Premier League but just two points separate Rafael Benitez's side from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Mata has insisted that his side are supremely confident of a top-four finish ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley.

He told The Sun: "I will say now I'm really sure we will finish in the top four and will be playing Champions League football next season.

"In my first season in England I won my first trophy with Chelsea there, the FA Cup, so it is a very special venue for me.

"But even when I was playing in Spain, I realised that Wembley was one of the most important football stadiums in the world because of all its history staging the big matches and so many finals."

The 24-year-old has scored 18 goals for the Blues this season in 53 appearances.