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Chelsea legend Michael Ballack says he has been impressed with Cesc Fabregas this season despite the criticism the Spaniard has endured.
The German spent four seasons at Chelsea, scoring 25 goals in 166 matches and helping Carlo Ancelotti's team to the Double in 2009-10 as well as winning the League Cup and the FA Cup three times - he was also a crucial part of the team that was so close to winning the Champions League in 2008.
Fabregas, 28, has recevied a lot of flak this season for poor performances, especially compared to the brilliance of the title winning campaign last season. The Spaniard has just two goals and six assists in 33 matches this term after scoring five goals and adding 22 assists in 2014-15.
Fabregas was excellent as Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain, earning a vital away goal at the Parc des Princes.
"I've seen a few games from him and I'm always impressed by him, the whole season," said Ballack, working as a pundit on BT Sport.
"He's a serious player, he knows what he's doing on the pitch. Even if he's not very active on television, like today, he always makes 90 per cent the right decisions, in terms of passing, running and closing space."
Show all 24 1 /24PSG vs Chelsea player ratings PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Kevin Trapp - 7 out of 10 Was in fine form, much like Courtois down the other end, and the PSG goalkeeper made several crucial saves - first when he parried Costa's header onto the bar and then when he denied the Chelsea striker in the second half. Will feel he could have done more to keep out Mikel's goal, but an impressive showing nevertheless.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Marquinhos - 6 out of 10 Started at right back in place of Serge Aurier who was suspended by PSG on Monday, and the defender made some good clearances in the game. However, he failed to pressurise Mikel enough just before the midfielder equalised but this was still a good performance from the in-demand defender.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Thiago Silva - 6 out of 10 The PSG captain was stalwart throughout the match, although him and Luiz suffered a few nervy moments when Chelsea went on the attack. But he marshalled his back line well.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings David Luiz - 6 out of 10 Hardly had anything to do for most of the first half, with Chelsea being kept at bay, but he then left Mikel completely unmarked for his goal during a corner kick.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Maxwell - 6 out of 10 Kept Pedro quiet early at the back while going forward and helping in PSG's attacks, namely, when he latched onto Matuidi's pass and forced Courtois into a save.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Marco Verratti - 6 out of 10 Was bright and provided a lot of pace to PSG's attacks, but couldn't quite create a clear-cut chance for his side although he did nearly score with his effort that was saved by Courtois
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Thiago Motta - 5 out of 10 Kept the likes of Fabregas relatively quiet while making some good clearances but failed to keep a lid on Willian, who ran riot on several occasions.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Blaise Matuidi - 6 out of 10 Had an impressive game, playing in Maxwell for an early chance while tracking back and defending when needed.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Angel Di Maria - 6 out of 10 The Argentine continues to impress following his move from Manchester United to PSG last summer, and his pace caused Chelsea lots of trouble time and time again. He could have put himself on the scoresheet but fired wide. An impressive performance from the winger.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 7 out of 10 Making his 115th Champions League appearance, the striker used his strength to hold the ball up well early on but, after receiving a yellow card for a late tackle on Mikel, he then disappointingly sent his free kick wide. He should have scored. He then awkwardly headed Marquinhos' cross onto the pitch and over the bar with space, but he made amends for his miss when he scored with a free kick just before the break.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Lucas Moura - 7 out of 10 Was on the pitch for 70 minutes and enjoyed a fine game as he caused Baba Rahman so many problems with his forays forward.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Edinson Cavani - 8 out of 10 Came on for Lucas Moura late on in the second half and made an instant impact after he scored the winner with a fine strike. The goal means the Uruguay star has now scored three goals against Chelsea.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10 Was absolutely superb for most of the the game, saving numerous efforts from the hosts although he couldn't do too much about PSG's opener after it took a huge deflection off Mikel. Will feel he let himself down, though, after rushing out to try and stop Cavani's late effort - but failing.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 6 out of 10 Endured a few problems up against the pace of Lucas Moura but, on the whole, was solid - exemplified by when he magnificently outran the Brazilian to clear the danger with Moura through on goal.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Gary Cahill - 7 out of 10 Starting as Chelsea's only first-choice centre-back, the defender managed to withstand the early pressure from the hosts with some fine last-ditch tackles and clearances. Showed once again, why he deserves to be a first-choice option in central defence for the Blues.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Branislav Ivanovic - 6 out of 10 The Serbia international captained the side in the absence of the injured John Terry and played in the unfamiliar central defensive position, but did well despite the amount of pressure PSG applied. Should have kept a closer eye on Cavani in the build-up to the winner, though.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Baba Rahman - 5 out of 10 Defended well on the most part, but endured problems dealing with the sheer pace of Lucas Moura and Di Maria. However, as has been the case since he arrived at Chelsea, the left-back impressed going forward and it was Baba Rahman who provided the cross from which Costa nearly scored.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10 Initially stuggled to deal with the pace and pressure from PSG in midfield, and it saw him receive a yellow card for a foul on Lucas Moura. He then needlessly gave away a free kick from which Ibrahimovic scored - after it deflected off Mikel's leg - but he made amends with his header on the stroke of half time.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Cesc Fabregas - 5 out of 10 Tried to get involved in Chelsea's attacks, but was marked well by the likes of Motta. However, it was his run forward just before the break that forced the corner kick from which Mikel scored.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Pedro - 5 out of 10 Endured a quiet first 45 minutes at the Parc des Princes following on from his scintillating performance against Newcastle United, but did well to defend when needed. Was booked for a high boot to Verratti.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Willian - 6 out of 10 After scoring at the weekend, the Brazilian was involved in many of Chelsea's best attacks going forward before he delivered the corner from which Mikel scored. His understanding with the likes of Costa shows why he is an important member of this team.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Eden Hazard - 5 out of 10 An ultimately disappointing showing from the Belgian as he failed to make an impact against a side, who he has been linked to numerous times and a team he himself talked up joining this week. Was hauled off with 20 minutes to go and replaced by Oscar.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Diego Costa - 6 out of 10 Opened up the game in quiet fashion, but the striker should then have scored but saw his fine header parried onto the bar by Trapp. Still, his presence in the box took the attention of two PSG players which left Mikel free to score although he will be expected to have a greater impact in the second leg.
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PSG vs Chelsea player ratings Oscar - 5 out of 10 Replaced Hazard with 20 minutes to go but wasted a glorious late chance to score a crucial away goal when he fired at Trapp.
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Ballack added that Chelsea will be pleased despite the defeat, especially given the make-shift back four Guus Hiddink had to play.
"It's a fair result," he said. "Chelsea had great effort, great fight, I didn't expect them to be that good to be honest. They have to do it again at home, don't step back, same performance and I think they have a good chance to win."
Fellow BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand agreed.
"Chelsea will be much the happier team, an away goal," said the former Manchester United defender. "We said before the game the back four have to play well, also the goalkeeper, and I think to a man they did well today.
"They were very, very good, worth the away goal, definitely."
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