Submitted by content on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 06:48
Spain international Cesc Fabregas has not given up on cementing regular gametime under the guidance of Maurizio Sarri this term. The 31-year-old has yet to make a league start for Chelsea this campaign but he remains optimistic of changing the mindset of the manager in the forthcoming months.
Speaking to reporters, Fabregas highlighted that Sarri only sees him as a holding midfielder and he is keen to change the Italian’s mindset, having played further up the field for most of his professional career, he said: “When you just play once a week, you try to be safe. You don’t have the confidence you should have. You want to look good for the coach, but you don’t want to make mistakes.
“But every player is playing at least once a week now, which is good in a way. It is good to give the coach a little doubt in his mind. The only thing I have to try to change in this manager’s way is that he only sees me as a player in front of the defence. I think in his mind I can only play there, but I have been playing further forward all my life.”
Fabregas’ “current deal with Chelsea expires at the end of the current campaign and so far“, the club have yet to open talks over a probable extension. Nonetheless, the Spaniard appears committed to the west London giants and “he has recently hinted“ that he could honour the remainder of his contract before mulling over a potential challenge elsewhere.
At present, Fabregas is behind the likes of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Ross Barkley, and Mateo Kovacic in the pecking order for the league duties but he has found regular gametime in the Cup and European matches. He most recently featured in the League Cup fourth round against Derby County where he scored the winner in a 3-2 triumph. The Blues’ other strikes during that game came through own goals.