Conte hails Fabregas as a genius
CESC FABREGAS is a genius and can be Chelsea’s Andrea Pirlo, according to manager Antonio Conte.
Pirlo was Conte’s midfield linchpin for Juventus and Italy, and the Chelsea boss believes Fabregas has the same speed of thought.
“Cesc is a top player and is a genius at football. I can talk in the same way about Andrea Pirlo,” Conte said.
“Cesc if he doesn’t run 100 metres in 10 seconds, I can allow him this, because he’s a genius with the ball. His velocity is in his mind.”
Yet unlike Pirlo, Fabregas has been restricted to mainly substitute appearances this season.
Conte underlined the Spain international’s importance and pointed to the form of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, his chosen central midfield players.
But today’s trip to Burnley, plus the apparently favourable forthcoming fixture list, could present Fabregas with a chance to stake his claim for more regular action.
“Sometimes you must make the decision and to look the balance of the team,” Conte added.
“Don’t forget in his place is playing Kante. A lot of people spoke that he is the best player in the league.
Kante’s old side, Leicester, face Swansea at the Liberty Stadium today in a relegation six-pointer
The Swan’s Jordan Ayew wants to use previous relegation pain to help Swansea retain their Premier League status and reward his brother Andre’s faith.
The 25-year-old forward joined the Swans on transfer deadline day and could make his debut against fellow strugglers Leicester this afternoon following his return from the African Nations Cup.
Ayew, who was unable to help former club Aston Villa beat the drop last year, made the move following a conversation with his elder sibling, who spent last season at the Liberty prior to a summer switch to West Ham.
“My brother told me it was the best decision for me to go to Swansea instead of going back to France or another country,” he said.
“My original thought was that this was the right place for me, but when I spoke to him he said at once that I should come here as quickly as possible.”