My position at Chelsea needs me to do more than just get assists, says Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas hasn’t provided an assist since January 2015

Cesc Fabregas has shot down suggestions that his form has faded in 2015. The Chelsea midfielder is the still the highest assist maker in the Premier League, but his last assist came in January.

Fabregas enjoyed a terrific first half of the season after moving to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona last summer. The Spaniard created 15 goals for his teammates and his tally of 15 still betters his nearest competitor in the Premier League by seven. But his influence has waned in recent weeks and has coincided with Chelsea's drop in form.

But the former Arsenal captain refused to read too much into the reason behind his assists having dried up.

In an interview with London Evening Standard, he said, “It doesn't matter. I don't even know if it's been eight games, five or 10 -- there are so many more aspects. I don't expect to get an assist per game. If I was playing regularly as a No.10, I'd say judge me on my assists.”

“But in a midfield pivot like we play at Chelsea, where I'm 20 metres behind the striker, of course I'm not going to get in the same position as many times as when you're No.10, So it's more difficult to get assists.”

Fabregas, who has also notched up four goals this season, was criticised for his performance during Sunday’s 1-1 home draw against Southampton. The former Arsenal captain however suggested that his role had changed at Chelsea compared to the attacking midfield role he played at Arsenal and Barcelona.

He said, “If I was playing next to Diego Costa, Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard every game, then I'd say maybe [assists would be more realistic], but for me, now, it's about making the team play, making the team click.”

“I need to pass the ball to Hazard, to Oscar, Willian and Juan Cuadrado, all these players. I try to make the team move forward and make runs when I can.”

“The position I play is where you have to be more of a complete midfielder, you have to defend well, attack, control midfield, you have to pass well, you have to know when to go forward and control the tempo of the game. It's more difficult, but I enjoy it more.”