Cesc Fàbregas

[Blue Armour 4,323]

Returns to the pitch like a boss., after being out for more than 2 months.

You always see a bit of ring rust in players who haven't had any match practice, but he comes back and starts pinging those long balls like it was 2014 again. Its almost like instinct.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

For all his limitations as a player, its clear he is the best passer the club has ever had.

[manpe 10,861]

First half he was meh, but you would expect that from a player who hasn't played for months. Second half was much better from the whole team and he's clearly an intelligent player. Can't believe we won away at City with Fabregas in a midfield two. Big props to him for stepping up!

[communicate 2,703]

Just now, manpe said:

First half he was meh, but you would expect that from a player who hasn't played for months. Second half was much better from the whole team and he's clearly an intelligent player. Can't believe we won away at City with Fabregas in a midfield two. Big props to him for stepping up!

But the game shows his physical ability is not good enough to play in two man midfied (I think we know that already) but it is just so sad the only player who can play that perfect ball to Costa in our team is fabregas

[Beepu 1,714]

If he was abit more athletic he would be an undoubted elite. I always liked him and glad to see his long balls today. Was always going to be abit lost in midfield but he did work his socks off today. Kudos.

[communicate 2,703]

1 minute ago, Beepu said:

If he was abit more athletic he would be an undoubted elite. I always liked him and glad to see his long balls today. Was always going to be abit lost in midfield but he did work his socks off today. Kudos.

oh if he is a bit more athletic, he is the best midfielder in the world

[manpe 10,861]

10 minutes ago, communicate said:

But the game shows his physical ability is not good enough to play in two man midfied (I think we know that already) but it is just so sad the only player who can play that perfect ball to Costa in our team is fabregas

Yes true, but with Matic injured we need to use what we got, and he didn't let us down.

[communicate 2,703]

Just now, manpe said:

Yes true, but with Matic injured we need to use what we got, and he didn't let us down.

Agree I have never blame Fabregas for his effort, He always run his socks off but man i just wish he is a bit faster

[zakhov 253]

If he's anything like me, all he needs is a few cups of coffee to get going faster.

[Chelseabluerising 60]

I thought I was watching 2014/15 season again he assists Costa scores 😝

[Captain Ahmed 528]

even assisting a red card

[Unionjack 7,531]

I still love Cescy.

Its a bastard innit. Hes probably our most creative player and I get a semi with that pinpoint long pass he makes. That one was so like when he 1st teamed up with Diego wasn't it eh.

The problem is he just doesnt have the legs or defensive skills to suit it.

If we put him in a 3 man midfield in deep playmaker roll between N'Golo/Matic and Luiz we would own the center of the pitch.

I dont know what our other options are with him. Hes not going to sit on the bench week after weeek waiting for games like yesterday is

Now if we could do like in the NFL and have special teams I'd happily keep him AND EVEN iva for the kicking team. Send Iva up for set pieces then take him straight off after.

But I would do all I could to try to find a position for him.

Unless of course we can find a CM with XCescys footballing head and passing skills along with Matics toughness and N'Golos legs and lungs.. Verratti might fit the bill. I'd do all we coiuld to buy him                                                                  

[Unionjack 7,531]

And c'mon ffs. How the hell do you call what he did to that other fuckin lunatic Fernandinho a slap???

You could see he was trying to chill him out and he was trying to get his attention. There was no animosity or power in that 'slap' Nothing for him to throw a wobbly and retaliate like he did.

What might of happened after tho could be Cescy took advantage of the situation, took a quick look to see where he was being taken by his throat, and knew peeps would stop his fall over the advertising boards.

Now if hes going to be bollocked by the FA then let it be for his acting ability but never for that slap.

And I'm not just saying it cause I'm biased.

[KevinAshburner 1,270]

instead of selling/loaning out Fabregas, because of his weaknesses in his game/playing style.

why don't Chelsea just send him to someone to teach him how to tackle and how to defend and fix his weaknesses.

instead of him sitting on the bench.

if he wants to play more then send him to a football teaching coach and fix his weaknesses.

[akgw13 867]

I have and will always have my criticism of Fab, however i am really happy for him because he has been an absolute professional about this situation. He hasn't bitched and complained and sulked. he trained hard like a pro and when given his chance he showed he still has something to offer. Will i always worry a little when he plays in a 2 man midfield? yes. were alot of our issues down the right side where Matic would have been helping? yes. Could we have scored that first goal and swung momentum without him? no. I really am happy for the guy. Against more defensive teams I am confident he can play with kante, that is something i never thought id be able to say. Kudos Cesc!

[Rekin 835]

I know some people will praise him for his assist, but for me he had a really poor game. I dont fully blame him for it, he is simply not adapted to what was expected of him. The pass to Costa was excellent, but it is easy to forget that by the time the pass came, we could have already been in so much trouble. Fabregas did very little to help Alonso, meaning that the left flank was completely open, leading to the own goal together with several other dangerous situations. The way City was lined up meant that we could have been in control of the game if we had been stronger in the centre. Matic would have closed down KDB a lot more, and we would not have been forced to rely on a miracle to come back.
 

Is calling it a miracle too harsh on us? Yes and no. 

City played better. They had a very exposed starting eleven that depended on constant pressure in our half. The gap between defenders and midfielders was huge, but as long as they dominated possession and got a strong lead, they could bring in a few defenders and see it out. Aguero twice and KDB missed absolute sitters, and if Otamendi would have shut down Hazard the way Aguero was shut down by Luiz I would have been screaming for a red. We were extremely lucky in the first hour to only be down by one goal, and it allowed us to come back because Guardiola pressed for a second instead of trying to play more carefully. We countered beautifully, and punishing an opponent is something a manager/team deserves credit for, so there is that.

What I want to say about Fabregas is simply that he does not work in our current formation. I am sure he could see games here and there, but he will never be a starter again as long as we play the same way as now. It is unfair to Cesc to expect him to rely on injuries. The best thing for everyone is to cash in on him while he still has a value, and get another midfielder that better fits the way we play. Conte adapted the way we play to the team we have, but that does not mean that everyone fits in. We have 5 games coming up where we are expected to win, IF that happens that would mean 13 wins in a row. Rarely is a manager in such a good negotiating position with the board to push for his transfers. 
 

I know January is hard for recruiting, but if we lose one of Kante/Matic/Costa/Hazard/Luiz/Azpili to an injury, we could undo a lot of hard work. January must see us reinforcing if we want to go for the title. 

[Special Juan 27,454]

I think under the circumstances he did well. He has been injured, has hardly played and was called upon to fill a void left by Matic, who has himself been brilliant this season. Not only that but what a baptism of fire for him, City away, possibly the hardest task of all this season.

I also think everyone of the players should be given a huge pat on the back for Saturday.

[different level 1,056]

I think Cesc did okay. His assist to Diego was a moment straight from the 14/15 season and the goal itself was a very similar to the one against Arsenal in the autumn of 2014. And oh my god, he's one cheeky bastard The little slap that he gave Fernandinho and then immediately went on the defensive while the latter started raging at him. Priceless