Chelsea needs a plan for Cesc Fabregas’ future in blue

Cesc Fabregas is very good at what he does but that may not be required by Chelsea anymore. He is still useful but the Blues need a plan for him.

It is almost hard to believe that Fabregas is only 31 years old. He has been around the Premier League for so long that many will not even remember a time without him. Even with his stint away in Barcelona, it never really felt like he was gone.

But that was then. Now, he finds himself injured after a tough preseason and on the outside of the squad looking in. With his contract ending at the end of the season, the Blues need to decide what to do with one of the game’s most decorated players.

It is worth noting that regardless of what happens, if Fabregas is going to stay at Chelsea he must take a massive pay cut. He is one of the squad’s highest paid players but is well down the pecking order at the moment. He fought his way back in under Antonio Conte eventually, but he is unlikely to have an easy go of things under Maurizio Sarri.

But he is still a useful a talented player that the Blues should keep if they are capable. Midfielders of his ilk age gracefully, so he will not lose anything substantial for years yet. But he also does not have the skill set required for a Sarri side.

Sarri wants his midfield three to press aggressively. That requires both speed and stamina, traits Fabregas does not have in spades. He could easily cope with the quick passing and that side of things, but the rest is another story. He struggled at Barcelona with their press so he is sure to do the same under Sarri.

But that does not mean he is completely out of the picture. He could still do an excellent job in the deep lying playmaker role against lower opposition. That could give Jorginho a break without risking a great deal. Fabregas would need to press better, but as shown under Conte, he can adapt to a style previously thought unsuited for him.

Perhaps more importantly is the leadership Fabregas brings. He is the squad’s second most decorated player (after Pedro) and was the captain of Arsenal long ago. He has plenty of leadership qualities and advice for the younger guys that will make them improve. And given his fight back into Conte’s plans, he also has the attitude the youth should emulate.

Fabregas is still an important player for the club. He will need minutes and a pay cut, but it would be beneficial to have him stick around for longer. Chelsea needs to create that plan sooner rather than later however. He is unlikely to fetch a solid transfer fee (or have many suitors without lowering his wage demands) so Chelsea is likely looking at him leaving for free if he does not extend. The Spaniard has a lot left to give if he is willing to meet Chelsea in the middle.