Fabregas proud of personal record as Chelsea close in on Premier League title

Cesc Fabregas is "proud" of his personal contribution after setting a new Premier League record in Chelsea's 3-0 home win over Middlesbrough.

Chelsea moved a step closer to title glory thanks to goals from Diego Costa, Marcos Alonso and Nemanja Matic at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

And when Fabregas set up the Serb for the third goal in a comfortable victory, he became the first player to record at least 10 assists in six different Premier League seasons.

The Spain international began the campaign out of the Chelsea first team and Fabregas acknowledged it was hard to get used to not being an integral part of Antonio Conte's plans.

"It's been a different year for me, I'm used to playing every year at every club I've been at but I've matured a lot," Fabregas told Sky Sports. "It's not easy and people told me I'm not the type of player for Antonio and that I should leave, but I like challenges.

"Obviously I haven't played every game but I've played in the last 20 matches. I feel the quality of my minutes has been fantastic, my contribution is perhaps bigger than a full season where I play every game.

"I've had to have patience and play for the team and hopefully we can win another title and win another [FA Cup] final. I'm proud of what I've done and proud of the team."

Defeat at Stamford Bridge relegated Middlesbrough back to the Championship and Fabregas felt Chelsea asserted their dominance against Steve Agnew's side.

"We knew what we had to do, it was a tough game with the pressure - positive pressure - but winning a title is not easy," Fabregas added.

"It was a big step forward to win against a side fighting for their lives. We played a very good game and knew exactly what we had to do and in the end it was a comfortable win. I think when you are used to winning with players who have won a lot, after last season with our bad form you lose confidence at important moments. This season we bounced back quickly. 

"[Middlesbrough] are a tough side and it wasn't easy but well played to everyone and we deserved it.

"I think consistency is key in this league and obviously we had that amazing 13-game winning run that gave us a lot of confidence. It's not done yet - one more push - but we've been the best team and the most consistent.

"We've been working very hard, a lot of running and tactics, but we have to be realistic. We didn't play in the Champions League so we had a lot of weeks where we could prepare physically in a fantastic way, where you cannot in a normal season due to all the travelling."

Latest in
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Latest in News
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Dejan Kulusevski celebrates after scoring for Tottenham against Ipswich Town in February 2025.
Tottenham chasing Premier League star to help unlock Dejan Kulusevski: report