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.
