Mark Schwarzer: Cesc Fabregas will replace Lampard at Chelsea

Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has backed new boy Cesc Fabregas to fill the void left by departing legend of the club Frank Lampard, reports the Daily Star.

The Australian goalkeeper sees Fabregas as the perfect replacement for the departee. The former Arsenal captain made his £27 million return to the Premier League before the World Cup began, becoming Jose Mourinho’s first summer signing in the process.

Backup goalkeeper Schwarzer is convinced that Fabregas is more than capable of filling the gap that has been left by Lampard, who was allowed to leave the club this summer after his contract expired after 13 years of service at Stamford Bridge.

Schwarzer said: ”It’s a big shame losing someone like Frank Lampard who has been an unbelievable player in the Premier League.

“He’s a world-class player and it’s a huge loss for Chelsea considering how long he has been at the club, but he’s obviously looking for another challenge.

“With Cesc Fabregas, you’re talking about another world-class player replacing [Lampard].

“That’s what happens at the top end of the league and at clubs like Chelsea. Players of equal quality replace the old ones.”

Chelsea have also completed their second signing of the summer, with Spanish international Diego Costa joining compatriot Fabregas at Stamford Bridge. He arrived after Chelsea agreed a £32 million deal with Atletico Madrid.

Costa could yet be joined by fellow Atletico team-mates Tiago and Felipe Luis, with Mourinho looking to the side that vanquished his Chelsea team in the Champions League for recruits this summer. Fabregas completed 87% of his passes in La Liga last season.