Mata Warns Rivals to Expect Chelsea Improvement Next Season

Juan Mata believes Chelsea's Champions league triumph represents the pinnacle of his career to date but cautioned the side will continue to improve next season.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a successful debut campaign in the Premier League after his summer switch from Valencia. He quickly established himself as Chelsea's creative playmaker, scoring six goals and 13 assists in 34 league appearances.

After back to back summers in which Mata won the 2012 World Cup and the European Under-21 Championship with Spain, the forward was signed by then-Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas for around €30 million in August 2011.

Mata was named Player of the Year after Chelsea's Champions league final triumph over Bayern Munich in May but he insists he is aiming to improve in the next campaign.

"My focus is to continue improving," he is quoted on Sky Sports.

"I am young as a footballer and I have to improve my game and my statistics over the next year, this is what I will try to do. You cannot rest on what you have achieved; you must look to the future and hope for more success."

"Lifting the Champions League was an unbelievable experience - the biggest club trophy you can win - and, for me, winning the Player of the Year trophy makes me feel very happy, proud and grateful.

With two winners' medals in his first season at the club, Mata will hope for further trophy success this summer when he travels to Poland Ukraine for Euro 2012 before the Olympic Games in London the following month.

"I could never have expected my first season to go this well," added Mata. "To win the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Chelsea Player of the Year, it is incredible and I am so happy, but I want more.

"I have the European Championships in the summer and maybe the Olympic Games as well, so, who knows, perhaps I can say that I have won nearly everything I have played in this year."