Gerard Pique has claimed that there is "absolutely no chance" of former Barcelona teammate Cesc Fabregas being the man behind a revolt on manager Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
It was reported last week that an unspecified player would rather lose than win for Mourinho, whose Blues side have now suffered seven Premier League defeats in 12 games.
Fabregas was quick to deny speculation that he was the player in question, and Pique, who has known his fellow La Masia product since he was a teenager, says that such a stunt is not in the 28-year-old's make up.
"I know Cesc well and there's absolutely no chance of that," the Spain defender told Goal.com.
"We already know the British media likes to speculate, but I know what Cesc is like and it is impossible he is acting this way."
The Premier League champions sit 16th in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone.