Joe Cole thinks Fabregas is a Diamond

Joe Cole is under no illusions as to Cesc Fabregas’s continued ability to impact a game. Cole came up against Fabregas many times when he played for Chelsea, whilst the Spaniard was wearing the colours of Arsenal. Those heated London derbies were fast-paced and didn't leave room for the faint of heart.

Joe Cole’s career may be in the twilight period and at 36, playing in the MLS for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, it’s clear to see the Londoner's best days are behind him. The same can’t be said for 29-year-old Fabregas, who Cole thinks is every bit the class act he was when they use to come up against each other. Cole called Fabregas a diamond and thinks that the former Barcelona man doesn't have an equal in the league –apart from possibly David Silva.

He terrorises defences with his range of passing and can play the ball over or through a defence to cut it open. It is Fabregas’s style of play and movement on the pitch that Cole thinks will be the reason he will play for a long time to come still. Commenting on it, Cole said: “I think he’s got another five or six years left in him at the top, because he’s not a sprinter, is he?”.

That will be good news for fans of Cole’s old club Chelsea as Fabregas is personally enjoying a very productive season at Chelsea, with 24 appearances, two goals and six assists. The Blues' season may have taken a nosedive after a loss to 18th-placed West Ham, which no one could have predicted. Fabregas and Chelsea are now at 50/1 to win the league and if they are to get anywhere close, Cesc will have to be at his best.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Chelsea and Fabregas as the defeat at the London Stadium will serve as a reminder that anything can happen as the Hammers were backed at 13/2 to win. The in-play at sportsbet.io odds will change a lot as the top teams fight for the title with upsets always around the corner.

Getting legs around Fabregas is the way to bring out the best in any team the Spaniard plays in according to Cole. Once he has his foot on the ball, he brings everyone into the game in the final third. The threat levels of opposing teams are at their highest once Cesc begins pulling the strings. There is a panic that sets in and Fabregas uses that to his advantage. He may not be running through defences and getting away from his men with dazzling skills that leaves trailing defenders on the floor, but he doesn't need to.

Chelsea are always contenders when you have the dynamic Fabregas at the heart of what they are doing. He is back to his best and receiving all the plaudits again. If Joe Cole is correct then Fabregas the diamond is far from done.