Cesc Fabregas’ key pass stats show he will thrive with any Chelsea striker
By George Perry
Cesc Fabregas adapts his passing style to create the best opportunities for whoever is playing striker. Knowing this, Antonio Conte confidently assured Fabregas a larger role in the side even with all the uncertainty in the squad.
Cesc Fabregas has become one of the world’s best playmakers by always adapting to the tactics and teammates around him. From Thierry Henry to David Villa to Diego Costa, Fabregas’ major ability is not simply being able to deliver the perfect pass, but knowing what the perfect pass is for each of those forwards.
Because of Fabregas’s sustained success across three teams, two leagues and over 10 years, Antonio Conte could promise Fabregas a more prominent role even if Chelsea’s striker situation is in flux. Even the arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko to partner N’Golo Kante will not adversely impact Fabregas’ role. They may sit deeper, forcing Fabregas up the pitch. As he proved at Barcelona, he is every bit as comfortable playing short passes from up high as he is sitting deep and launching precision long-balls.
Fabregas played at Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea over the last eight years. In each season, Fabregas’s distribution of key passes represents the striker in front of him.
If there's a key pass to be made,@cesc4official will make it. Long, short, head, chest, foot... the 🧙♂️ has you covered. #CFC pic.twitter.com/WifHrKiQBw
— The Pride of London (@PrideOLondon) July 18, 2017
Over the last three years at Chelsea, 25% of Cesc Fabregas’ key passes have been long balls (i.e., over 25 yards). This reflects Diego Costa’s preference of taking balls over the top, chesting them down while muscling off a defender and fighting towards shooting position. It also reflects the speed of Chelsea’s wingers. Fabregas can send a well-placed, lofty pass knowing that Eden Hazard or Willian will be in perfect position when the ball lands.
The opposite trend held in Fabregas’ preceding three years at Barcelona. In that stretch, 87-93% of Fabregas’ key passes were short. Fabregas was part of Barcelona’s short-, tight-passing schema (don’t call it tiki-taka). At Chelsea he carries the reputation of needing time on the ball to line up a pass. At Barcelona, he barely had time for a touch before sending a short, crisp through-ball to Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez or David Villa.
Fabregas’ final year at Arsenal was another year of short-passes. This was a departure from the previous year, where he provided more long passes to Robin van Persie. In 2009/10, Fabregas led Arsenal in both goals and assists as he dominated every element of the Gunners’ game.
Cesc Fabregas knows that his versatility and intelligence are the necessary prerequisites for his passing magic. He spoke about this with Chelsea TV in February:
"On the pitch I like to play with winners [and] if he is a guy that you understand so well that when you pass him the ball he scores a high percentage of your passes, then fantastic… You have to adapt your game depending on the striker you play with because some of them are quicker, some of them like you to play the ball more to their feet, some of them like short runs when you are in the final third."
The 2016/17 season was Cesc Fabregas’ first without the Champions League. He made fewer appearances than any season since his first few with Arsenal, but approached career bests for goals and assists per 90 minutes.
His second-half (of both games and the season) performances for Antonio Conte demonstrated that he is still one of the world’s best playmakers and all-around offence threats. He rounded out his game with improved defensive and positional work. He also motivated everyone with his work ethic and professionalism coming off the bench (or staying on the bench, for over six weeks).
Cesc Fabregas only needs a striker who can take a touch and create a chance. Whether that striker wants long-balls on the run, close-order one-two’s, service to the head or feet, Fabregas can provide that.
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With all that mind, Antonio Conte should have no second-thoughts about reaffirming Fabregas’ place in the squad. Fabregas’ success is not the variable, particularly as the club continues to dither on signing his new target man.