He’s been playing in a more advanced role since joining Barcelona, but Cesc Fabregas has set his sights firmly on taking up Xavi’s position as the side’s midfield fulcrum.

Fabregas operated in his favoured midfield pivote role during his time at Arsenal but since returning to his boyhood heroes in 2011 has been asked to play in one of the three attacking positions.

The 25-year-old, who occupied a false No9 role for during Spain during their triumphant Euro 2012 campaign, is determined thought to one day succeed Xavi as the passing metronome for both club and country.

“I see myself as a replacement for Xavi because my beginnings as a player were in the same position,” Fabregas told El Periodico de Catalunya. “I was pushed forward by circumstances. I believe that there will never be another Xavi.” 

While he harbours ambitions of eventually taking up a deeper lying midfield position in the future, Fabregas is content to continue to learn his trade higher up the pitch.

“I am finding myself more and more (as a false nine),” he said. “With  Tito [Vilanova], I have almost always played [inside]. He thinks I can improve in this aspect.”

 

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.