Cesc Fabregas didn’t record an assist in Spain’s 1-0 victory over Czech Republic or their 3-0 demolition of Turkey, but yhe midfielder will have plenty more opportunities as the tournament progresses.
Fabregas will have plenty of opportunities to join the assists column. He will play behind Andres Iniesta and David Silva, two world-class playmakers in the midfield. Topping the line of attack is Alvaro Morata, whose seven goals and seven assists helped Juventus win an Italian League title this year.
On the club scene, the Spaniard’s sharp decline in assists epitomised Chelsea’s hugely disappointing season. He still led Chelsea with seven assists. Yet that was an aberration from his 2014-15 campaign, when Fabregas registered a league-leading 18 assists in the Blues’ Premier League-winning season.
Essentially every Chelsea player suffered from the plague that saw Jose Mourinho sacked midway through this season. Now, with Antonio Conte’s arrival in Stamford Bridge imminent, we could see Fabregas return to vintage form.
He recently made news for saying Germany and Italy copied Spain’s playing style. The Spaniards’ brilliance of operating and passing in congested areas helped them win two Euros and a World Cup in a span of six years. Yet Fabregas’ jab to Italy and Germany may turn out as a blessing in disguise. Conte, Chelsea’s newest manager, patrols the touchline for the Italian national team as well.
This season, the Spanish midfielder led the Premier League for most accurate short passes with 2,191. That output could increase if Conte carries the quick-passing style that vaulted Fabregas as one of the world’s top midfielders with Spain.
The Italian manager’s formation places a heavy reliance on midfielders. Conte has played five at a time in the past, which will equate to more opportunities for Fabregas.
