Fabregas eyes Xavi´s role

Cesc Fabregas says he sees himself as a potential heir to Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona when the midfielder hangs up his boots.

Fabregas, 25, operated in central midfield during his time at Arsenal but has played a variety of roles at Camp Nou since his transfer from Arsenal in 2011.

He was also experimented as an auxiliary centre forward during Spain’s success at Euro 2012, but Fabregas hopes one day to take over from Xavi for both club and country.

“I see myself as a replacement for Xavi because my beginnings as a player were in the same position,” Fabregas told El Periodico de Catalunya.

“I was pushed forward by circumstances. I believe that there will never be another Xavi.”

While he harbours ambitions of becoming a first-choice central midfielder in the coming years, Fabregas is happy to be deployed in more advanced positions on the pitch, as he believes it allows him to refine other areas of his game.

“I am finding myself more and more (as a false nine),” he said.

“With (Barca coach) Tito (Vilanova), I have almost always played [inside]. He thinks I can improve in this aspect.”