Cesc Fabregas, the legendary midfielder, put his boots back on for a London five-a-side match on Monday night, showcasing his enduring talent. The 36-year-old, who retired from professional football in 2023, displayed his trademark passing range and precision, entertaining the participants in the Enterprise ‘Rent-A-Player’ competition. Having enjoyed a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Fabregas won numerous accolades, including two Premier League titles and a World Cup.
Fabregas, who has recently taken up a coaching role at Serie B side Como, discussed his former clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea. He praised Arsenal’s current form, saying they have shown more maturity this season.
“They are still in the mix to fight for the Premier League,” he said. “They are doing really well. This year it will be closer to the end than what they were last year because they probably didn’t show up in the last couple of games the way we were expecting. This year it will be much closer to the end, and I think they have a big chance.”
Fabregas’ confidence proved well-founded as Arsenal secured a thumping 5-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates, moving three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
“It’s about keeping the right mentality right up till the end,” Fabregas said. “This is what lacked last year, maybe a little bit of maturity in certain moments. This year they look quite fresh. They had a little dip recently but I watched them the other day against Wolves and they were back on it. So we’re looking forward to seeing how they react to that.”
In contrast, Fabregas believes Chelsea is going through a different phase.
“Chelsea are in another moment,” he said. “They are more about finding the right togetherness, figuring each other out, analysing certain performances individually, collectively. Sometimes I watch them play very well and not score enough. Then other days they are not at their best but they score a lot. It’s a team with a lot of ups and downs.”
Fabregas’ assessment aligns with the recent struggles faced by Chelsea, who have had inconsistent results despite heavy investment in the squad.
Despite his retirement from professional football, Fabregas demonstrated that he still possesses the skill and ability that made him one of the most respected midfielders of his generation. While he acknowledged that both Arsenal and Chelsea have styles of play that could accommodate his skillset, he believes Arsenal’s current approach suits him slightly better.
“They are two different styles but for my type of game I think the Arsenal team suits me a little bit more,” he said. “Chelsea is a very vertical team. [Enzo] Fernandes, [Moises] Caicedo, Cole Palmer, you know, players like that play, so I’m sure I could manage to put my stamp on it. So they are both for my style of play, a little bit more Arsenal in this moment in time. But it’s all about being there and performing on the on the day.”
Fabregas’ participation in the ‘Rent-A-Player’ competition is part of Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s partnership with the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League, aiming to enhance the grassroots football experience by giving fans the opportunity to play with football legends.
