Cesc Fabregas’ continued benching in the 2-1 defeat against Liverpool is a waste of his talent and Chelsea are suffering without him.
Former Juventus and Italy manager Conte had a fairly happy introduction to the Premier League, winning his first three games and drawing the fourth, a frantic 2-2 against Swansea City.
But the Blues’ unbeaten streak under the Italian was not to last, as a Dejan Lovren volley and a superb long-range strike from Jordan Henderson condemned them to their first defeat against Liverpool.
What was striking during that game was the lack of options Chelsea players had on the ball. Set out in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the players in the ‘2’ (Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante) never seemed to have an easy ball on.
As a central midfield pairing, they provide solidity in the tackle, but not a great deal of creativity. Kante especially is not a particularly technical midfielder, having made his name with Leicester last season by running hard, making tackles and playing a simple pass. Matic can play more so, but his best qualities are still defensive.
This tactical weakness was glimpsed against Swansea, where the pair failed to control a frenetic game against a struggling, desperate side, and two points were dropped. Against the likes of Burnley, who sit deep and allow their opponents time on the ball, they came under no such pressure, and cruised to a 3-0 victory.
But Klopp’s high pressing Liverpool were never going to afford Chelsea that kind of time and space, and both players struggled visibly. However, the club have a ready-made answer sitting on the bench: Cesc Fabregas.
Bred at Arsenal and Barcelona, passing is in the Spaniard’s blood. He does lack defensive qualities, but his ability to pick a pass and control a game is unparalleled in the Blues’ squad.
He could be played instead of either Kante or Matic, providing the simple passing option from which an attack may stem, or even ahead of them, replacing Oscar. That would be a difficult decision to make, given the Brazilian’s talent and obvious chemistry with Willian and Hazard. However, in games where a technical presence is required to control the tempo of the game, Fabregas must be played, and someone must be sacrificed.
Ideally, rotation and tactical tweaks could afford them all a chance to play. Fabregas-Kante-Matic could be used in games where they are outmatched and Oscar-Fabregas-Matic in games where they are likely to dominate.
But Kante alongside Fabregas could well be the most balanced pairing of all. The Frenchman’s incredible work-rate means he is more than able to fulfill both his and Fabregas’s defensive duties, allowing the latter to dictate play, and keeping Oscar in the side.
Whatever Conte decides to do, reintegrating Fabregas could well be the key to a return to form for the Blues.
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