Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has named his top four under-performing players and Cesc Fabregas was mentioned.
At various points in the season, Mourinho has dropped one
or more of his standard starting eleven this season with Diego Costa
being the last of the core to miss out on a run of games.
Mourinho dropped Fabregas for the crucial Champions League group game
against FC Porto which the blues won 2 – 0 with goals from Willian and a
Marcano own-goal putting them in the round of 16 of the competition.
The Portuguese said at a match conference:
“Last year he had a huge responsibility for the quality of our team, he was fundamental,” he said of the Spaniard.
He added:
“This season he is at the same level as the team and it is difficult to play especially well.
The tactician also named Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry as fellow under-performers.
Mourinho continued:
“If you go player-by-player, last season –
Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry – you could say were
fantastic. This season it is more difficult to say this player is being
magnificent.”
“I don’t see Cesc differently, but what I see is that every
minute the professionalism is there and he is never afraid to have the
ball or to be afraid to make a mistake. I completely trust him.”
Chelsea currently lie in 14th place on the log. They face table topping Leicester City on Monday night.
