Chelsea has begun the season with aplomb, bagging 19 out of the 21 points possible. Having replaced their rather physical game with a more possession based game, Chelsea have already overcome the challenges of fellow title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City with a win and a draw respectively and is already giving the rest of the sides nightmares. Although all the players have contributed to the sides’ outstanding form, it has been the Cesc Fabregas – Diego Costa partnership that has set them a class apart. Both the Spaniards have been in incredible form this season, with Costa finding the net 9 times from 7 matches and Fabregas leading the assists table with 7 to his name. Even though Costa has had the major share of the limelight, Fabregas has been equally important in Chelsea’s majestic beginning to the season.
The Spaniard was bought this summer as a long-time replacement for a departing Frank Lampard. Last year, Lampard, Ramires, Nemanja Matic, John Obi Mikel, David Luiz and Michael Essien were all used in the 2-man central midfield in Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1. But apart from Matic who has cemented his place since his arrival last season, Jose Mourinho was not entirely convinced with the options he had. With Lampard and David Luiz moving on to Manchester City and PSG respectively, Mourinho was on the lookout for someone who could dictate proceedings from the middle and that is exactly what the former Arsenal captain has proven to be.
With plenty of Premier League experience to boast about, Fabregas has settled in remarkably well into the Chelsea pivot role. The key upgrade Fabregas has provided the side with is his ability to find his teammates. Fabregas has a pass completion rate of 90% per 90 minutes so far, in contrast to Lampard’s 83% and Ramires’ 84%. And to add to that, Fabregas has also succeeded in spotting quick runs and releasing his teammates into goal-scoring positions more often than any of his predecessors from last year; as evident from the chance creation rate of 3.20 per 90 minutes and key passes rate of 2.18 per 90 minutes in comparison to Lampard’s 1.75 and 1.59 and Ramires’ 1.14 and 1.07 respectively.
Last year, the chance creation task had to be almost entirely shouldered by Eden Hazard, but this year Fabregas has considerably relieved the young Belgian from quite a lot of pressure. His arrival has meant that Hazard and the likes of Oscar, Willian, Costa, Loic Remy, Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah have all had the liberty and opportunity to get the ball in key attacking areas and has delivered well.
Yet another difference Fabregas’ arrival has brought about is that the physical game that Chelsea played under Mourinho last term has made way for a more possession based game. Last season, the onus was mostly on utilizing the pace in the wings and attacking midfield ranks during counter attacks to find their goals; especially against stronger sides. This term though Chelsea has ditched their old way and is playing much differently and a share of the credit goes to Fabregas. He has averaged 80.84 passes per 90 minutes and has a Squawka Possession Score of 22.47, which are both way ahead of the two central midfielders of last term. The change in gameplay has freed Chelsea off the criticism they have been constantly subjected to for their extremely defensive and visually irritating style of play.
It is also to be noted that the former Arsenal man has done his defensive work decently. Although Fabregas (1.02) outshines both Lampard (0.74) and Ramires (0.86) in the interceptions rate, Lampard has a greater clearances rate and Ramires has the better tackle and block rate in comparison to Fabregas. But with Matic playing the defensive midfielder role to perfection the need for Fabregas to drop back and defend is minimal and the lower stats can be excused, especially given the difference he has made for the team going upfront.
Thus, it is clearly evident that Mourinho have got a winner in Fabregas and he looks an excellent upgrade for Chelsea in the centre of the ground. There is no doubt that he will be extremely important to Chelsea’s title hopes this season; which in all probability is looking more realistic with every passing game.