Cesc Fabregas has said he feels he has grown in importance to the Barcelona team this season.
Fabregas returned to Camp Nou in 2011, having left as a teenager for Arsenal. The midfielder has told Efe that under Tata Martino, he is more settled with his role in the side.
“Martino has given me confidence,” Cesc said.
“He has always believed in me and knows what type of player I am.
“He doesn’t ask me to do things he knows I can’t and is always trying to exploit my strengths.”
The 26-year-old puts his self-belief down to his more regular presence in the starting XI under Martino, having been benched more often under Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova.
“Of the last 16 games, I’ve played 15,” he added.
“That’s very good for me because I’m not playing in every other game, I’m playing for 80 or 90 minutes every time and I feel more important to the team.
“I feel like my teammates have more trust in me now.
“Physically too, I feel stronger.”
