Chelsea FC: Fabregas Says There's More To His Game Than Just Assists

Chelsea FC and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas hasn’t been the force he was during the first half of the season — in terms of assisting goals.

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The versatile middle-man settled well into Jose Mourinho’s squad, forming an instant telepathy with star striker and Spain teammate Diego Costa, but since returning from injury, he hasn’t recorded a single assist — or goal — in two months.

His performance against Southampton was certainly not his best, and I was surprised to see him last the full 90 minutes. He gave away the ball on so many occasions, most times with little to no pressure.

Chelsea fans could be quite unforgiving, and expressed their displeasure by booing the player during the match — which in turn caused Mourinho’s 15-year-old son to label them ‘disgraceful’.

Having carved out 20 goals across the board for his peers this season — which is by no means inferior — Fabregas’ ancillary ways have seemingly waned. But the midfielder insists that there is so much more to his game than meets the eye.

Playing that deep in midfield means a lot of concentration on the defensive side of things, which probably takes away from his offensive arsenal (no pun intended).

The midfielder has highlighted the fact that he loves playing alongside Nemanja Matic, but thinks that fan criticism would be justified if he were to be deployed in the No. 10 spot.

"“I don’t expect from midfield, from nearly getting the ball off John Terry, to get an assist per game.”“If I was playing next to Diego Costa, Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard every game, then I’d say maybe [I could do that].”“But for me, now, it’s about making the team play, making the team click, passing the ball to Hazard, to Oscar, Willian and Juan Cuadrado, all these players. I try to make the team move forward and make runs when I can.”-Cesc FabregasSource: London Evening Standard"

This statement could lead one to believe that Fabregas is calling his manager out and asking for a positional change, but the Spaniard also claims to be happy playing in his current spot and is willing to learn more from Mourinho.

"“If I was playing regularly as a No10, I’d say judge me on my assists. But in a midfield pivot like we play at Chelsea, where I’m much more behind the strikers — I’m 10 metres behind the No10 and 20 metres behind the striker — of course I’m not going to get in the same position as many times as when you’re No10. It’s more difficult to get assists.”“That’s why the number of assists I have is a little more impressive. But I’m happy in the position I’m playing and, hopefully, I can learn a lot more from Jose Mourinho.”"

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He can’t really blame us, though. After such a bright start, there would always be expectations, but Fabregas is right. His role doesn’t allow him the freedom to score and create chances like it would if he was playing in the hole. Instead, he creates opportunities for other players to create.

Fabregas does need to show some of that early-season vision if the Blues are to maintain their grip on the title. Chelsea can’t afford to blow this; with Arsenal, Manchester United and possibly Liverpool now creeping into title contention, the improvement needs to start now.

Next: Andre Lacazette To Liverpool?

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Chelsea FC: Fabregas Says There’s More To His Game Than Just Assists

By Lou Flavius | Mar 17, 2015

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