For someone like Cesc Fabregas, who has countless assists from which to choose, you’d think a set-up would have to be pretty damn good to make it onto his list of favourites.
You’re not wrong.
The Chelsea midfield puppetmaster has revealed to The Telegraph the top four passes he has completed that have allowed his teammate to find the net and, perfectionist that he is, claimed there is one attempt that didn’t come off that still frustrates him.
1. Spain v Russia, Euro 2008 semi-final
With his back to goal, Fabregas received the ball on the edge of the box but sent it first time over the Russian defence. The perfectly weighted chip landed flush on the chest of Daniel Guiza which led to the second goal in a 3-0 victory.
2. Spain v Holland, 2010 World Cup final
Deep in extra time with the tie still level, substitute Fabregas arrived on the scene and played an inch-perfect pass into the path of Andres Iniesta who didn’t have to break stride as he fired past the ‘keeper.
3. Spain v Italy, Euro 2012 final
Cesc showed that he had pace as well as vision when he powered past Giorgio Chiellini to pull the ball back for David Silva who was able to head the ball past Gianluigi Buffon.
4. Chelsea v Arsenal, Premier League, October 2014
When Blues boss Jose Mourinho delved into the transfer market last summer to bring Fabregas and Diego Costa to Stamford Bridge, it didn’t take long for the pair of Spanish internationals to click. This gorgeous ball from inside his own path meant that Costa didn’t have to check his run as he lobbed the Arsenal stopper.
You’d think that Fabregas would be thrilled with his assist tally of 19 in 30 games but, ever the perfectionist, the former Barcelona man wishes that Costa had finished off this sumptuous volleyed long ball just last week as Chelsea thrashed Swansea 5-0.
