When Antonio Conte of Chelsea was quizzed on the possibility of World Cup winner and former Barcelona star leaving Chelsea in the winter during his pre- match press conference ahead of the game against Sunderland last night, the Italian had this to say, “In football, my experience is it’s very difficult to guarantee.” What this statement meant is that Francesc Soler Fabregas might quit Stamford Bridge during the transfer window after making only two starts in the league before the game at the Stadium of Light last night.
Instead of ranting and making a big fuss about the matter, the former Barcelona delivered one of the best individual performances of this season against Sunderland when given the nod ahead of Nemanja Matic. Not only did the former Arsenal captain score the lone goal that downed the Black Cats in the 40th minute, the attacking midfielder also had one of the best stats this season attempting 117 passes and succeeding 98 times (98/117) which is the best amongst all players on the field of play and miles ahead of second placed N’Golo Kante (72/79). As if that wasn’t enough it was Fabregas who directed the pace and tempo of the game with his technical ability and experience often creating as much as five clear cut chances for his team mates (Diego Costa, Pedro and Willian) who all failed to score making sure Chelsea fans endured a nervy finish. This season even with his limited game time, Fabregas still boasts a rich stat, having scored three goals in nine games in all competitions .
“In football toady people forget very, very, very quickly who you are, and what you can do. Hopefully now I can get a run of games in the team.”
“People forget that tonight is just the second time in my life that I have played in this system. I am getting used to it,” Fabregas said after his impressive display against Sunderland last night.
With Chelsea six points ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool and on a ten game straight winning run , it might seem that all Chelsea need is just the likes of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard who both have scored a total of 20 league goals yet what will be a very expensive mistake by Conte in selling Fabregas is due to the fact that he still belongs to the top and offers Chelsea something which no other player in the West London side can offer. Conte must do everything to keep the Spaniard at the club considering his ability to play in tight spaces and at the same time sit deep and dictate the tempo of the game unlike Hazard, Costa and the rest who depend so much on speed. It is also on record that though Fabregas made only two starts and four substitute appearances finishing the game only once, the World Cup winner has two assists to his name already as well a goal . Chelsea will surely come against less quality teams who are most likely to sit deep and remain compact so as to frustrate the Blues attackers just like the tactics employed by both Tony Pulis (West Brom ) and David Moyes (Sunderland), hence the need for the introduction of Fabregas whose long ball, through ball and defence splitting pass is presently second to none In the league. Against both Watford and Manchester City, Chelsea needed the Spaniard to unlock the tight defences on that day. Finally Fabregas might not possess the physical and defensive traits of Nemanja Matic yet this should not cover up the fact that he offers Conte an Option B as well as making them more difficult to play against.
Stats powered by Opta.
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