Having taken over a side that struggled late in the Premier League season earlier this year, Maurizio Sarri made a few additions to the squad, to help implement his system at Stamford Bridge. And the January transfer window will now give him the chance to further shape this squad to his liking. The Italian is expected to sell a few names in January to reduce the wage burden on the club and one name that is now linked with an exit is Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard will be a free agent at the end of the season and reports from Corriere dello Sport claim that AC Milan are ready to make a move for him in January.
What Fabregas Can Offer To Sarri’s Chelsea
The addition of Jorginho to the Chelsea midfield has certainly made them one of the strongest lineups in the league. But the Blues decided to let Tiemoue Bakayoko leave on loan in the summer, incidentally to AC Milan, with the player unlikely to return to England. Sarri has used Jorginho alongside N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic in the last few games while Ross Barkley has acted as the creative outlet when needed in the middle of the park.
In this 4-3-3 system, Chelsea are devoid of midfielders who can create chances as consistently as Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder still remains one of the best playmakers in Europe. In Conte’s system, he was not too effective, as he had too many defensive duties to cater to. But in Sarri’s gameplay, his passing and movement in the middle of the park could be devastating.
With his vision and ability to find teammates even under pressure, Fabregas could be a real asset in the free-flowing football that Sarri is preaching at Chelsea at the moment. The 31-year old still has a couple of years left at his best and if used smartly, he could still be a match winner. He has made 344 appearances in the Premier League, where he has registered 113 assists and a player of his calibre should be welcomed in most top teams.
Can They Afford To Lose Him For Free?
But the fact that Fabregas is out of a contract at the end of the current season will give Chelsea food for thought. Unless Sarri uses him on a regular basis this year and has a set plan for him for the next couple of years, the former Arsenal man is not expected to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
He does have the ability to cement a place in the first team, even at his age, but having had successful stints in both Spain and England, he could be tempted by a new challenge in Italy. There is very little Chelsea can do, to hang on to Fabregas, except give him assurances of game time.
But he has not got a minute of action so far this season, mainly due to a knee injury but will surely find it difficult to break into the starting XI upon his return. And it looks likely that he will quit the club come the end of the campaign. So it makes sense for Chelsea to let him leave in January, but not before giving him the chance to show what he can do in this new system at the club.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
