Cesc Fabregas has reflected on the differences in his role for club and country and admits to struggling at first to the more restrictive work at Barcelona.
The midfielder has been used with Spain in recent months in a ‘false 9’ role and in an attacking position encouraged to move freely from a starting position.
The 26-year-old was given the latter role in the Confederations Cup Group B opener against Uruguay and responded with a strong performance.
“It is true that the Coach gave me absolute freedom the other day against Uruguay, but we shall see what happens,” reflected Fabregas to Mundo Deportivo when asked if he’ll reprise it for tonight’s semi-final with Italy.
“Do I enjoy it? Yes, every player would like that, if you ask any player as a kid: ‘where would you like to play?’ Usually up front is the position where a player can enjoy more of the football.
“Do I have more freedom than at Barcelona? At Barca there is a very positional game and there is no such mobility because each player has a more specific role on the pitch and that is how it has been played over the years.
“I, for one, have had to adapt to that. I came from playing a completely different style of football, one that has been described as anarchic, and at first I wanted to go to the right, to the left and it was not possible because the team destabilises.
“On the right typically is Xavi and on the wing is Pedro, or Alexis, or whoever, to the left is Andres…
“There is mobility with the ball but not without it, but every team plays differently and you have to try to adapt.”
The midfielder has been criticised for patches of poor form last season.
“I didn’t see it, I see that football is a sport where you can be liked or not. In the end, what you have to do is play the way that you know.
“It is impossible to be liked by everyone, not even the greatest succeed.
“Look at basketball, for example, and LeBron James, one of the greatest in history and there are people that you do not why, but they do not like him and football is the same.
“I will always fight, to give my best, I know I can do better, I know I have played good games, and from constructive criticism, which I always do after training, and that I take home, I try to always improve.”
