Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has responded to criticism over his form this season and explained why he believes he is facing a significant backlash.
Watch more brilliant snippets like this with fanatix’s FREE sports video news app
The Spaniard has scored just one goal in 17 appearances in all competitions so far this year, the effort against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League as seen above, and has only produced two assists after registering 18 in the Premier League alone last season.
Although those are worrying statistics for Chelsea fans, it is arguably inappropriate to blame the 28-year-old for their struggles this season which have left them in 16th place in the Premier League after 12 games having already lost seven games.
The lack of creativity and killer instinct in the final third are certainly issues, as is the defence which has conceded with much greater regularity than compared to recent years.
“If you play well you are the first to have the finger pointed at you when things are going badly,” he told Spain’s Radio COPE, as reported by Sky Sports.
“When things go well you are the best and when things go wrong you are finished, you are useless.
“Those of us who have been most criticised are Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and myself, but you get used to it.”
Fabregas went on to dismiss suggestions that the players aren’t with their beleaguered coach, as Jose Mourinho will look to use the international break to regroup and attempt to mastermind their plan to cut down the 15-point gap that currently exists between them and league leaders Manchester City.
While the former Arsenal star needs to have a bigger influence on games, as do Costa and Hazard, it is undoubtedly unfair to solely blame him for the club’s issues. All the coaching staff and players at Chelsea must take responsibility, but it is crucial from their perspective that they get back to winning consistently as soon as possible in order to salvage their season.
COMMENTS