Newcastle’s Merino mesmerised by idol Fabregas

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Newcastle face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino has told the Shields Gazette that it will feel “like a video game” when he goes up against Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabregas on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez’s side go up against the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge in a lunchtime kick-off that will see the Toon’s Spanish contingent of Merino, Joselu and Javier Manquillo face a number of their fellow countryman.

The likes of Pedro, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso all shine in the blue of Chelsea, but it is Fabregas that Merino is looking forward to facing the most as he implied the former Barcelona ace is somewhat of an idol.

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder started against West Brom in the week after recovering from a back problem and is excited at the prospect of facing Fabregas in the middle of the park on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Fabregas – he’s been a great player for Spain and in the Premier League,” said Merino. “For a player, like me, who’s young and playing my first matches as a professional, it’s incredible to play against someone like Fabregas.

“You feel like you are in a film or a video game. It’s amazing to be able to play against one of these players. But it makes me even more determined to improve myself so I can fight with them.”

Merino has starred under the stewardship of Rafa Benitez since initially joining the Tyneside outfit on a season-long loan from Dortmund, before the move was made permanent.

Newcastle come into the game against Chelsea with dismal run of form that saw them only put a losing streak of four games to and end with a 2-2 draw against managerless West Brom on Tuesday night.

With just one point from 15, they face a near-impossible task to face Antonio Conte’s side, as they sit in 12th place and five points above the relegation zone.