Cesc Fabregas Says He is Thriving in Deeper Chelsea Role

Cesc Fabregas has warned Jose Mourinho and Chelsea not to expect him to be a regular goal scorer this season, insisting his deeper role means he is likely to go 'five or six' games without scoring at a time.

The Spain international capped a wonderful flowing move to score his first goal back in the Premier League against Crystal Palace on Saturday 20 October as the Blues extended their lead at the top of the table with a 2-1 win.

His seven league assists in eight games has reinforced his impact upon his return to these shores, where he has been deployed in a deeper position after taking up a more advanced role while back in Barcelona.

Often in Cataluña last season Fabregas was used in the no. 10 role or as a false nine. While the Spaniard struck 13 goals in all competitions, netting 14 the season before in 2012/13, his overall contribution was considered less influential than the performances we became accustomed to during his time at Arsenal.

But now operating behind the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar, the midfielder believes his and Chelsea's all-round performances are much-improved.

"I like to play this kind of football, and Eden and Oscar do as well, and the three of us connect very well and that goal showed well the qualities of the whole team," Fabregas told Chelsea's official website.

"Now I am playing deeper in midfield, there will be moments during the season when maybe I go five or six games without a goal or an assist, and I am more proud about the team work, the discipline, the way we coped with the sending off, than my goals or my assists.

"I give those to other people to talk about.

"We played a good second half when 10 against 10. We did have difficulties in the first few minutes but thankfully Oscar scored a fantastic goal and it helped us, and 10 against 10 is a different game and it was a solid performance."