Cesc Fabregas’ is Chelsea’s most creative playmaker, just as he has been throughout his career. His success across teams, leagues and competitions comes from his understanding of the strikers at the other end of his passes.
Cesc Fabregas has six assists in the Premier League this season, one shy of his total from last year. Last season was only the second time since 2009 that Fabregas has had fewer than 10 assists in league play. He is on track to hit double-digits in the current campaign.
His stats line is more remarkable this year given how few appearances he has made. His six assists this season have come from 520 minutes on the pitch. He needed just under 2900 minutes to tally his seven assists last season, and just under 2000 minutes for his eight assists in 2011/2012. Fabregas’s assists per minute far exceeds his best season at Chelsea in 2015/16 (18 assists) or his career best season at Arsenal in 2007/08 (20).
Fabregas attributes his consistent success to his ability to adapt his passing to suit the striker on the receiving end. Speaking to Chelsea TV, he compared Diego Costa to other strikers he has served balls to across his career.
"Someone like Diego Costa likes long runs… balls from around my own half, you know a very long ball and he’s really quick and sharp and strong. [David Villa] or Eduardo when I was at Arsenal, they are a bit sharper on the short move, on the shorter run and maybe you have to play closer to them."
Fabregas elaborated that each striker has a specific set of preferences for taking a pass and turning it into a scoring opportunity. Some want to receive a long ball behind the defence. Other strikers look for a short, quick pass. Some prefer to take the ball out of the air, others look to turn a ball at their feet.
Cesc Fabregas not only understands these needs, but can deliver each pass equally well. Most of his assists at Chelsea have been long balls to Diego Costa, with whom he has a well-established on-field rapport. But his highlight reel also includes chips, low through-balls, one-two plays and diagonal passes that slice the defence.
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Cesc Fabregas looked to be winding down his time at Chelsea after spending six weeks without an appearance in the early days of Chelsea’s win streak. Since starting against Manchester City, he has shown his importance to the club and to Antonio Conte’s ambitions every opportunity he gets.