Paul Merson raves about Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas
Paul Merson heaps praise on Cesc Fabregas following his impressive form for Chelsea in recent weeks
Paul Merson has lavished praise on Cesc Fabregas following his top form for Chelsea in recent weeks.
The Spanish midfielder helped Antonio Conte’s men to win the Premier League title under the Italian manager last season but did not start as many games as he would have wanted.
However, since Conte opted to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United in the summer transfer window, Fabregas has become something of a more regular fixture in the first team at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, the 30-year-old has started 11 of Chelsea’s 13 Premier League games so far this season.
And former Arsenal star Merson believes that Fabregas is thriving because N’Golo Kante’s defensive duties are allowing the Spanish to have more freedom to control the attacking play.
Writing in his column for the Daily Star, Merson said: “Cesc Fabregas has dragged Chelsea back into the title race – and Manchester City better watch out.
“That heavy defeat by Roma was a wake-up call and now they’ve got players playing to the best of their ability again.
“But it’s all down to a little tactical tweak with Fabregas. He’s a liability when he has to play as a holding midfielder, but since they’ve played two in there with him it has all clicked.
“N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko give him the freedom to play like a quarter-back and spray passes around – and it’s working.
“Before, Chelsea were as bad as Arsenal without the ball. But now they look solid again. And as for his ball for Hazard’s goal against West Brom, how many other players could have played that pass?”
Chelsea are aiming to defend their Premier League title this season after having won the trophy in Conte’s first campaign in charge at the club.
The Blues booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night when they sealed a 4-0 victory over Qarabag in Azerbaijan.
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Wednesday night when they take on Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.
