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Cesc Fabregas: Chelsea are a long-ball team

Fabregas: Chelsea are a long-ball team
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Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas claims that Chelsea have become a long-ball team under Roberto Di Matteo's leadership.

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has claimed that Chelsea have become a long-ball team under Roberto Di Matteo's leadership.

However, the former Arsenal captain admits, ahead of that sides' Champions League semi-final meeting at Stamford Bridge, that the Blues' style of play makes them a "very dangerous team".

He said: "With [Andre] Villas-Boas, they tried to have the ball a lot more - not play so many balls long and not seek out the second ball quite so much.

"They've gone back to the type of Chelsea that was more successful a few years ago with Di Matteo - playing on the counter, trying to hit the target man, sitting back and using that number 9 as a reference point.

"They are a very, very dangerous team. They are like motorbikes now - faster, quicker to get the ball forward. Get after it and cause problems."

Fabregas has scored 13 goals in 37 appearances since moving to the Nou Camp in a £30m deal in August.

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