Antonio Conte got off to a great start to his debut season in the Premier League as a late stunner from Diego Costa helped seal all three points for the Blues in their own backyard. The team Conte set out against cross-town rivals West Ham looked strong and dynamic and is close to the best team that the manager can put out with his current squad. But one noticeable absentee from the starting XI was Spaniard Cesc Fabregas who had to settle for a place on the bench.
He was an unused substitute and this raised doubts about his future at the club. It was revealed that the Blues have put Fabregas on sale this summer. The likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona are said to be interested. However, Sky Sports revealed late in the day that the Spaniard is keen to stay at the Bridge and fight for his place. So should Chelsea sell their 29-year old midfielder this summer? Here are 3 reasons why they should not.
His experience
At 29, Fabregas has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe in Arsenal and Barcelona and has always been productive. His debut season at Stamford Bridge saw him pick up assist after assist as he helped the Blues to a Premier League trophy. Though he was not able to succeed in the previous season, he is still an experienced candidate, probably the most experienced in Chelsea’s midfield this season. He has the ability to dominate possession in the midfield and can run the game for the Blues. This being Conte’s first season at the club, he will need all the expertise he can get from his squad about the English game and Fabregas will be a fine option to learn from.
A true match winner
The Spaniard has always been an impact player for his club and country. Though he has not got himself into the league of the Xavis and the Iniestas, he is the closest anyone can get to the Spanish duo. He has great vision and even better technique while the accuracy in his passing is just astounding. He can pick a blade of grass from 40 yards out and is easily one of the best midfielders in Europe at the moment. He creates loads of chances for his teammates while also chipping in with goals making him a dangerous player.
Cesc is easily the most skillful of the midfielders at the Bridge at the moment and losing him may considerably decrease the quality in the squad in the midfield. In an ideal world, Fabregas should be the first name on the team sheet at Chelsea (may be beside Eden Hazard).
Lack of quality replacements
The first thing a manager will think about before letting a player leave is the availability of options he has in the transfer market and the chances he has of replacing the personnel in the squad. In this situation, Cesc Fabregas can hardly be replaced. Joao Mario, the EURO16 winner is reportedly on the radar of the Blues but the Portuguese will move to a club as big as Chelsea for the first time. He will have to come to grips with the expectations at the club and then the English style of play.
Conte, who himself is new to the league will need players who have settled in the league already and not ones that he will help settle into their new club. So leaving Fabregas to look high and dry for players to replace his quality is nothing short of idiocracy, especially with just two weeks left in the transfer market.
