Chelsea vs Manchester City: Cesc Fabregas knew nothing about Kevin De Bruyne even though he played for Blues
De Bruyne won the German Player of the Year in the Bundesliga last season, but despite playing for Chelsea six months before Fabregas joined the club, he knew nothing about him
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Your support makes all the difference.Kevin De Bruyne’s return to fitness has triggered Manchester City’s resurgence in form and paved the way for the Premier League side to reach the Champions League semi-finals, along with reminding every single Chelsea fan what the club allowed to slip through their grasp.
But despite the Belgian rapidly developing into one of the most influential players in the Premier League, current Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas admits he had no idea about him before he joined City – despite De Bruyne playing for the Blues just six months before Fabregas’s arrival.
De Bruyne’s two-month absence coincided with City dropping out of the Premier League title race and FA Cup, and since returning at the start of the month the midfielder has scored three goals in four appearances including the crucial winner in the 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain this week that ensured City progressed to the Champions League semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
But despite his impressive return to England and terrific campaign with Wolfsburg last season that saw him named German Player of the Year by German journalists and broadcasters after leading Wolfsburg to second in the Bundesliga, Fabregas admits he didn’t know much about De Bruyne.
Asked if he has been impressed by De Bruyne’s form this season, Fabregas said: "Yes, mostly because I hardly knew about him before this season.
"I didn’t really watch the German league in the few years he was there so yes he’s impressed me because I didn’t know that he had that much quality.
"I think he fits in very well with Manchester City’s footballing style."
Fabregas will get a closer look at De Bruyne on Saturday when City travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, but while the Manchester outfit will be pressing on in a bid to fend of rivals Manchester United from snatching fourth place, Chelsea have relatively little to play for except their own pride.
Cesc Fabregas was speaking ahead of the launch of the EA SPORTS FIFA 16 Ultimate Team – Team of the Season. To read the full interview, go to https://www.easports.com/uk/fifa/news/2016/fifa-16-cesc-fabregas-interview
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