Mourinho Takes Another Dig at Barcelona Over Fabregas Role
José Mourinho remains as provocative as ever. The Chelsea manager did not hold back on Monday night, delivering a pointed critique of FC Barcelona’s use of new signing Cesc Fàbregas, the former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder.
After Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over newly promoted Burnley, where Fàbregas played a starring role—registering two assists and heavily involved in another goal—Mourinho hinted that Barcelona had failed to utilise the Spaniard to his full potential.
“I know exactly what he’s going to bring,” Mourinho said. “At Barça, he was a false nine, a number 10 or a winger, but I know—and he knows—what his best position is to give us exactly what we need.”
The comment was a thinly veiled criticism of Barcelona’s management and coaching staff, suggesting they did not fully recognise or optimise Fàbregas’s strengths during his time at Camp Nou.
Mourinho’s remarks underline his belief that he alone can unlock the best in certain players, a trait that has long defined his managerial style. The Portuguese coach, who famously clashed with Barcelona during his spell at Real Madrid, is no stranger to rivalry-fuelled provocations.
Chelsea fans will be pleased by Fàbregas’s immediate impact in the Premier League, and Mourinho’s comments have only added spice to the longstanding feud between the English club and the Catalan giants.
Whether Barcelona’s management will respond to this latest provocation remains to be seen, but Mourinho’s words have undoubtedly reignited tensions between the two European powerhouses.
