Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has hinted he will stick with a tried and tested starting 11 for Premier League matches and most likely not replace his stars even when games look won. But a strange decision was made during the Blues 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Cesc Fabregas replaced Jorginho in the second half, a substitution very few would have predicted in the circumstances. Sarri never substitutes Jorginho, mainly for his understanding of the deep-lying playmaker role and only sits out the Europa League and Carabao Cup games to allow Fabregas to get a look-in.
The Spaniard is one of the most experienced and talented players in Chelsea’s dressing room so it is perhaps not too surprising when he displaces Jorginho, regardless of the form he is in. But eyebrows were raised when he stepped on the pitch for the former Napoli star and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga reveals why.
When asked in a one-on-one session on the Chelsea official website, who has been the best player in training lately, the 24-year old goalkeeper simply replies, “Cesc Fabregas”.
