Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has said that he wants the club to target the third place finish this season. Chelsea are currently battling with Arsenal and Tottenham for a top four spot. Only the top four teams will be able to play in the Champions League group stages next season. However, the fourth team has to go through a play-off position in order to get to the group stages, while the top three teams automatically qualify. Mata, who has been one of the best players for Chelsea in the last two seasons, has said that the club should target at the third placed finish this season.

It will be extremely difficult because Chelsea will be playing the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in the final few matches of the campaign. They also have matches against their direct rivals as well. The chances of finishing in the third place appear to be slim, but Mata remains confident. The former Valencia star has been one of the shining lights for Chelsea this season. He has managed to score 18 goals in all competitions, while also contributing an incredible 12 assists as well. He is only behind Andres Iniesta in terms of the assists across European football.

Mata was signed from Valencia for £ 24 million. “We will try until the end to finish in third position. Third and fourth are available, second is another challenge, but we want to play in the Champions League next season. We are still alive and we will fight until the last game. With three points we would have been in a better situation, but we still have to face Tottenham and Manchester United and we have many more important games to come,” said Mata. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech also echoed the sentiments of the 24-year-old.