Chelsea vs. Southampton: Opposition threat

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides third goal with his teammates during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides third goal with his teammates during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Cesc Fabregas

The former-Barcelona man is one of those players who makes football look easy and effortless. The centre-midfielder has a superb passing range and an excellent footballing brain. We have seen over many years of playing in the Premier League, Fabregas has punished teams for giving him a little bit too much time on the ball.

Failure to close the Spaniard down when on the ball, can often lead to him putting it on a plate for his strikers. He hasn’t picked up many assists this year, only three to be exact, but you will often find Fabregas involved in the move when Chelsea score. Fabregas has made 12 through balls this season, 4th in the entire Premier League, which often have led to a Chelsea goal.

Fabregas has never been a player who relies on speed or strength, just the talent he possesses on the ball. This could mean Fabregas might be playing at the top level for many more years to come.

Southampton will have to stop this man getting space on the ball if they want to get a result out of the game. The defensive midfielders for Saints, whoever it might be, will have big job to try and stop Fabregas from playing.