#1 Conte’s good problem – Fabregas or Kante?
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A slight injury to N’Golo Kante meant that playmaker Cesc Fabregas took his place in the starting line-up. While Kante, the PFA Player of the Year, has won plaudits all over the footballing world for his tireless energy in midfield to dispossess the opposition and break attacks, Fabregas’ vision to provide inch-perfect long balls into the path of advanced players – Diego Costa, in particular – is a trait very few modern footballers possess.
Against West Bromwich Albion, Fabregas displayed his class from the centre of the pitch, attempting to slice open the defence with the final pass while also getting into shooting positions himself in an attempt to break the shackles. Nemanja Matic, on the other hand, resorted to defensive duties, something which Kante would have done had he played.
Whoever out of Kante or Fabregas plays ultimately influences the role of Matic. Kante’s presence in the middle of the pitch gives Matic the license to move forward, whereas he must stick to holding responsibilities when Fabregas starts alongside him.
With none of the three players showing any signs of deteriorating, Conte has a good problem to deal with in midfield for next season – whether to field two players who have out-and-out contrasting roles or to tinker with the position of Matic by choosing either of them.
