Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas Compares Antonio Conte To Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola

Cesc Fabregas has revealed, fresh off Chelsea’s Premier League title victory, what he believes makes Antonio Conte unique compared to other English club managers like Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola: his greater emphasis on strategy.

Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas Praises Antonio Conte

“Conte is something else,” Fabregas told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. “We have run a lot this season, lots of gym work and sprints. We did very well, the team was phenomenal physically. There is a lot of pressure to go up and down (the field).”

The 30-year-old Catalan midfielder, who scored Chelsea’s game-winner in Monday’s 4-3 victory over Watford, continued praising the Italian for his attention to detail.

“He is the coach who worked the most tactically, more than with Mourinho and Guardiola,” said Fabregas, who joined the Blues in 2014 from Barcelona. “We have to take into account that this year we have not had to play in the Champions League, something that will not happen next season.

“Conte is meticulous. Until everything is done, training is not finished.”

Fabregas played under current Manchester City boss Guardiola for one season at Barcelona, from 2011-2012. The midfielder then became a member of Mourinho’s Chelsea squad one year after the Portuguese manager came to Stamford Bridge in 2013 following a three-year stint at Real Madrid. Mourinho left to join Manchester United in 2016 and Conte took over the Blues after two seasons of serving as head coach of Italy’s national team and manager of several Italian league teams (Juventus, Siena, Arezzo) before that.

After Chelsea’s home victory at Watford on Monday, there was a fireworks display at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are set to carry the Premier league trophy when they host Sunderland on Sunday.

Fabregas has recorded five goals and 11 assists with Chelsea this season. He also said his teammate Gary Cahill is one of the strongest players on Chelsea’s squad, and emphasized how much time the central defender spends at the gym.

Conte’s team will finish the season on May 27, when they visit Arsenal for the FA Cup final.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)