Chelsea Blow As Mourinho Reveals Major Fitness Concern Ahead Of PSG Clash

Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of Cesc Fabregas after Jose Mourinho confirmed the playmaker is suffering from illness and is a doubt for tonight’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain, according to ESPN.

Fabregas was able to take part in training at Cobham on Monday morning and was in the 22-man squad that travelled to Paris later in the afternoon, but he did so wrapped in wooly hats and a snood in order to keep the cold at bay.

Speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference last night, Mourinho revealed that Fabregas has been suffering from illness and is considered as a doubt for tonight’s Champions League last-16 first leg at the Parc des Princes.

“Fabregas has been ill,” Mourinho is quoted as saying by ESPN

The Blues boss is hopeful that the 27-year-old will be passed fit to start tonight but he admitted that Chelsea would miss the Spaniard’s influence in midfield if he misses out. Mourinho continued:

“We are a different team with Fabregas, I’m not saying better or worse, I’m saying different. The team grew up from preseason with him on the team and the team went in a certain direction with a style of play.

“Without him, we lose some control, some possession, we become the same team, well organised, good in transition. But with him, we control the game better, we have more control of the game. We have possession of the ball because of the nature of the style of player he is.”

It would be a massive blow for Chelsea if Fabregas doesn’t make it as he’s been hugely influential since joining from Barcelona in the summer, with the former Arsenal skipper scoring four goals and providing a staggering 19 assists in his 30 appearances in all competitions.

If he’s ruled out, Ramires is likely to start alongside Nemanja Matic in front of the back four while Oscar should come back in to the starting eleven in attack after shaking off a minor muscle problem that saw him miss the win over Everton last week.