Cesc Fabregas picks his final Premier League XI, including four former Arsenal stars and just two from his other former club Chelsea.
Cesc Fabregas has revealed his best Premier League XI, including four former Arsenal stars and just two Chelsea stars.
Fabregas ended his illustrious playing career of 20 years in July 2023 after releasing a statement announcing his retirement on Twitter.
Fabrégas won two Premier League titles, two European Championships, a Champions League title and a World Cup before retiring.
The former Spain international – who played for Arsenal and Chelsea – has scored a total of 50 Premier League goals in 350 appearances.
He has faced some of the most formidable opponents and has now revealed exactly who will make his Premier League starting XI.
Former footballer Cesc Fabregas revealed his best Premier League XI (above)
Naming his ultimate Premier League team, Fabregas told Mail Sport: “David Seaman, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Kyle Walker.
“In midfield, Patrick Viera, Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo then either David Silva or Kevin de Bruyne, I don’t know which one.
He ends by naming: “Thierry HenryDidier drogba’.
Fabregas also named the toughest opponent he faced while playing in the Premier League when speaking to SPORTbible in April 2024.
Fabregas has credited Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard with being the toughest opponent he faced during his years in the Premier League.
“I always felt like he had everything in his locker,” Fabregas said. “He could dictate the game, he could score goals, make assists, make runs in behind. Offensively he was very strong.
“You always thought that when you faced him you had to be at the top of your game or you would be in trouble because he was very consistent.
“He was always eight, seven, eight, seven (out of 10). For me he was a role model and someone, looking back, I really enjoy playing against. I learned a lot from him.’
He chose David Seaman, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Kyle Walker, Patrick Viera, Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Silva/Kevin de Bruyne, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba.
Fabregas began his career at Barcelona’s academy, La Masia, but struggled to find first-team opportunities and joined Arsenal in September 2003 before becoming their captain.
Fabregas began his career at Barcelona’s academy, La Masia, but struggled to find first-team opportunities and joined Arsenal in September 2003.
It was during his time with the Gunners that Fabregas’ skills truly developed, as he quickly became a vital part of Arsène Wenger’s team.
During his eight seasons in north London, the Spaniard made 303 appearances and, along the way, earned the club captaincy.
Despite winning an FA Cup with Arsenal, Fabregas was destined for bigger and better things, and in August 2011 he sealed his return to Barcelona.
For three years, Fabregas played his part in one of the best teams in football, consisting of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, all coached by Pep Guardiola.
He made 151 appearances for the Catalan side and won a La Liga, a Copa del Rey and two SuperCopas during that time.
It was also at this time that Spain asserted its domination on the international scene, with Fabregas as a key player.
Over five seasons, he made 198 appearances and played a vital role in the title-winning teams under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte in 2014-15 and 2016-17.
He left Chelsea in 2019 for Monaco where he spent four years before joining Como where he finished his career.
Fabregas won two Premier League titles during his time at Chelsea from 2014 to 2019.
Cesc Fabregas was speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, official partner of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League, at the Enterprise ‘Rent-A-Player’ competition in London. Find out more about www.enterprise.co.uk/uel
