Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has slammed Chelsea as long-ball merchants. Former Arsenal skipper Fabregas claims that since the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea have become long-ball merchants and reverted to their old direct style.

Fabregas said: "What happened with Villas-Boas was they played more from the back, trying to keep possession and take the initiative in the game.

"But they've gone back to the type of Chelsea that was more successful a few years ago - playing on the counter, trying to hit the targetman, long balls, sitting back and using that No 9 as a reference point."