London: Chelsea vice-captain Frank Lampard has said that he is impressed by the `first-class` attitude shown by his teammate Juan Mata to battle his way back into the Chelsea playing team.
Mata, a back-to-back Player of the Year, has been out of favour since the return of Jose Mourinho this summer, although he made a game-changing contribution in his side`s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and prompted Mourinho into selecting him for the starting line-up for the Champions League trip to Steaua Bucharest.
According to Metro.co.uk, Lampard hailed Mata`s attitude to force his way back into the team, saying that the Spaniard `played well, linked the play, put in the ball for the goal` and added that he has been a vital player for the club since his purchase from Spanish side Valencia CF in 2011.
Lampard also said that Mata is aware that there is a lot of competition, especially in midfield, adding that he has trained well and kept the right attitude, which is very important for a player when he is not playing.
ANI
