Some of his passes last night were extraordinary, but then sometimes he just dawdles on the ball. It's who he is and I think in matches where we dominate he'll be fantastic, slicing open defences and breaking them down.

 

But I do wonder if he'll start against City on Sunday. Matic is nailed-on, Ramires is probably down too so that leaves space for one other and you'd expect it to be a more creative player. We could obviously go with Mikel and really look to stop City but I think Oscar's workrate might just nudge him ahead.

 

That isn't to say Fabregas is doomed, but that in about 8 matches a season he might sit it out. Of course Jose could look to go at City and play Fabregas in the 10 spot like he did last night but that asks a lot of Matic and Ramires.

 

Cesc is together with Costa going to be the first player on that teamsheet come sunday. Ramires is also going to play so its going to be a 433 formation i would assume but it would be craziness to leave Fabregas out. Best player behind Costa so far.

Cesc is together with Costa going to be the first player on that teamsheet come sunday. Ramires is also going to play so its going to be a 433 formation i would assume but it would be craziness to leave Fabregas out. Best player behind Costa so far.

 

I think he's one of the first names on the team sheet in every league match except for City away. Maybe I'm being too cautious but I think the most important job for our midfield is to stop City and hope something comes through Hazard, Willian or Costa.

 

I wouldn't be surprised either way to be honest with you.

 

Fabregas is one of the most important players for us when it comes to winning games....but City is a match we only have to not lose.

Fabregas is a class act, exactly what we have been missing, can't believe people questioning him.

Agree against big sides he has to have more cover and play further forward. His vision and passing are miles ahead of anyone else and his assist tally will go through the roof this season.

Looked tired towards the end of the game last night, I hope he recovers fully to cause city problems Sunday. Play him in a 3 with Matic Ramires/mikel.

Remember he has been playing at Barca where they do press and look to win the ball back early. I think he just needs some tactical input from Jose and he will be fine.

Both Matic and Fabregas need to know where to be in attacking and defending.

Don't think all the blame should go on Fabregas to be honest, Matic on the other hand was poor constantly out of position when he is supposed to be the holding midfielder.

Don't think all the blame should go on Fabregas to be honest, Matic on the other hand was poor constantly out of position when he is supposed to be the holding midfielder.

 

I don't think Fabregas should be getting ANY of the blame. It seems like he can't win with some. He can't constantly do both tracking back and creating, it's just unrealistic to expect that from someone.

Edited September 18, 201411 yr by Scott Harris

The only way to set up Sunday is the 4-3-3 with Matic, Cesc and Ramires in the middle. Ramires box to box and Cesc furthest forward with Matic in the Makalele role. I think we're going to do City 2-1. Hazard late in first half and Costa nicking a late corner for the win. KTBFFH!

I think it will be a draw.

On youtube there is now a cesc compilation for the Aston Villa match and i've got to say i was highly impressed.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl583e_TPeM

 

I remember thinking during the match how good his passing was and seeing it again really made me see what Chelsea have been missing all these years.

 

First half was immense, second half was a bit more sloppy but there are two things that i just wanted to highlight.

 

Firstly, the long right-centre to left touchline balls to Azpilicueta (1:55) Hazard twice (2:23 and 2:33) and the beautiful ball to costa on the left corner of the box (5:36).  These are on-a-dime passes that manage to cut out their entire team and generally leave our player 1v1 which i think is one of our main weapons (Hazard).  Probably in the past only Lampard could do this but cesc does it even better and more often.

 

Secondly (1:21), and this one is my favourite, is a ball in the first half to Ivanovic from the centre to the right inviting the serb to push up.  Now many people will look at this pass and say that it isn't that special but i think nowadays it's these kind of balls that can be the difference.  

 

What happens is that there are two villa players ready to block the ball to the right.  Now 99% of players would play the easy ball into Ivanovic's feet but Cesc sees the space and the momentum it can cause and plays the much more difficult lofted pass perfectly so that Ivanovic can run onto it.  There is no control needed, no adjustment and no valuable time wasted.  Where most people pass into feet, cesc will read the game and see where to place the ball to take advantage of space and not lose momentum.  

 

Many teams will park the bus against Chelsea this year and so Chelsea really do need to take advantage of any counter attack situations or any situation where a defence isn't fully settled and this is a perfect illustration.

 

He then repeats this (4:30).  

 

Cesc will misplace passes and he will probably never have the highest pass completion rate.  But it's because he's so good and confident in his passing that he is willing to try passes, long, short and first time that others wouldn't dare and it's these passes that can make a difference in a game.

 

Defensively he is still not fully up to speed and can still improve.  I think this has actually affected Matic's production (although i feel he's been better than many people think).

 

Anyway i'm just so happy with what i'm seeing from Fabregas and as a result Chelsea.  The football has been good, fast paced, fluid and precise, it's just a shame that people (not Chelsea fans) are so blinkered with the whole "Mourinho teams play boring football" that they can't actually appreciate what in my opinion has been some of the best football played this decade.

He was really good at the weekend and his ball for the second goal I think it was perfection.

He was great yet the Sun gave him a 6 rating on Sunday, proof that journos dont watch the game

I think if Fabregas scored on Sunday it will be truly delicious.

 

Wonder what reception the gooners will give him.

Their fans are generally dreadful and constantly embarrass themselves with their pantomime style booing of past players who went on to bigger & better things (as if it ever actually bothers said past players in the slightest) when really they should just get over it and focus on supporting their current players.

 

I personally found it funny as f**k when Adebayor ran the length of the Etihad pitch just to mug them off. The sight of their replica shirt wearing away fans doing the typical 'let me get at him' whilst not actually genuinely making an attempt to get past the one foot barrier in their way was hilarious.

 

I think Sunday will be fun.

I predict that he will have a run of four average games (in that he doesn't do anything spectacular rather than being genuinely bad) before he is written off as the 'new Deco'.

He has been superb for us so far, just because he's not socring in a game people overlook the fact his passing and vision are a joy to watch.

If I'm not mistaken wasn't some his criticisms at barca that he normally starts a season on fire but fizzles out come middle and end of season. But hey I'm just loving watching a maestro control that midfield 

I think if Fabregas scored on Sunday it will be truly delicious.

 

Wonder what reception the gooners will give him.

Their fans are generally dreadful and constantly embarrass themselves with their pantomime style booing of past players who went on to bigger & better things (as if it ever actually bothers said past players in the slightest) when really they should just get over it and focus on supporting their current players.

 

I personally found it funny as f**k when Adebayor ran the length of the Etihad pitch just to mug them off. The sight of their replica shirt wearing away fans doing the typical 'let me get at him' whilst not actually genuinely making an attempt to get past the one foot barrier in their way was hilarious.

 

I think Sunday will be fun.

 

This. I would absolutely love for Fabregas to score to shut the boo boys up. Adebayor's stunt was a bit classless, but brilliant. 

Can't wait.

This. I would absolutely love for Fabregas to score to shut the boo boys up. Adebayor's stunt was a bit classless, but brilliant.

Can't wait.

Brilliant really why? I heard fans got life bans for him provoking them buy running the length of the pitch like an animal. Thought it was disgusting to be honest. Do you mean brilliantly funny

I think if Fabregas scored on Sunday it will be truly delicious.

 

Wonder what reception the gooners will give him.

Their fans are generally dreadful and constantly embarrass themselves with their pantomime style booing of past players who went on to bigger & better things (as if it ever actually bothers said past players in the slightest) when really they should just get over it and focus on supporting their current players.

 

I personally found it funny as f**k when Adebayor ran the length of the Etihad pitch just to mug them off. The sight of their replica shirt wearing away fans doing the typical 'let me get at him' whilst not actually genuinely making an attempt to get past the one foot barrier in their way was hilarious.

 

I think Sunday will be fun.

They only boo the players who left on bad terms (Nasri, RVP) or did something to wind them up (Adebayor) as any other bunch of fans would.  Fabregas did neither, actually wanted to go back and has said nothing but nice things about them. I'll be surprised if a single soul had the nerve to boo. 

They only boo the players who left on bad terms (Nasri, RVP) or did something to wind them up (Adebayor) as any other bunch of fans would.  Fabregas did neither, actually wanted to go back and has said nothing but nice things about them. I'll be surprised if a single soul had the nerve to boo. 

 

You will be surprised then. They hate him on the Arsenal forums now. They will boo him.

Brilliant really why? I heard fans got life bans for him provoking them buy running the length of the pitch like an animal. Thought it was disgusting to be honest. Do you mean brilliantly funny

 

Well yeah, I found it hilarious. That's pretty much what I meant.

You will be surprised then. They hate him on the Arsenal forums now. They will boo him.

Yeah, they certainly will. Many of them might not hate him as much as Nasri and RVP, but they will boo him anyway just to unnerve him and make him lose concentration. I expect some songs from the away section involving "judas" or "traitor." Hope it doesn't affect him too much. 

Brilliant really why? I heard fans got life bans for him provoking them buy running the length of the pitch like an animal. Thought it was disgusting to be honest. Do you mean brilliantly funny

Football fans should suck it up and stop being precious. They spent the whole match abusing him, what do fans expect. It was the same when Jose shushed the scousers, bloody hilarious

I think if Fabregas scored on Sunday it will be truly delicious.

 

Wonder what reception the gooners will give him.

Their fans are generally dreadful and constantly embarrass themselves with their pantomime style booing of past players who went on to bigger & better things (as if it ever actually bothers said past players in the slightest) when really they should just get over it and focus on supporting their current players.

 

I personally found it funny as f**k when Adebayor ran the length of the Etihad pitch just to mug them off. The sight of their replica shirt wearing away fans doing the typical 'let me get at him' whilst not actually genuinely making an attempt to get past the one foot barrier in their way was hilarious.

 

I think Sunday will be fun.

 

If he scores I hope he'll handle it like Lamps did against us. Sure it wouldn't be as funny when it happens but after the game when the feelings have subdued they would be left with the cold fact staring in their faces: what a classy player did Whinger pass on and let Chelsea have him. That'll hurt them way more even if they'll refuse to admit it.

I hope for more of this against Arsenal.....

Remodez I think you will be very surprised on Sunday then if you think Arsenal fans are not going to give their trademark pantomime booing treatment to Fabregas.

 

The way they always jump on the bandwagon on abusing their ex players is pathetic- the 'rapist' abuse of RVP after the allegations of rape were made years before and they continued to sing his name as an Arsenal players not giving a f**k about the rape allegation then suddenly started caring and using it as a stick to beat him with when he left. 

 

Similarly with Cole and the whole 'phone up bum' rumour, an allegation that was again made whilst he was an Arsenal player but then as soon as he went on to bigger and better things Arsenal fans decided to use it as their main source of abuse.