Former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle has claimed that his old side are a better team when Cesc Fabregas plays.
The Spanish midfielder has struggled for starts since Antonio Conte’s switch to 343, with only 5 this season in the Premier League.
He has featured regularly as a substitute and in rotated teams, as he did on Saturday in the FA Cup tie against Wolves.
“He’s a wonderful footballer,” Hoddle is quoted as saying in the Metro.
“He actually elevates them offensively. I think they’re a better team football-wise with Fabregas in the team”.
It’s true that the Spaniard adds a huge dimension to the team offensively, and he was one of the best players on the pitch as the Blues battled to break down a tough Wolves team. However the combination of Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante in midfield has proved such an effective base around which to base the team that it’s hard to see Conte changing it soon. In big games, having two such dedicated midfielders dominating the middle of the pitch gives the wing backs great license to attack, a valuable weapon.
