- Cesc Fabregas was thrilled after Wayne Rooney revealed how learned from him
- Rooney was often deployed in midfield in the latter stages of his career
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Cesc Fabregas was left thrilled after Wayne Rooney revealed how he learned from him.
Fabregas, who had spells at Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona, was undoubtedly one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Although he was mainly a striker, Rooney was often deployed in the latter stages of his career.
Fabregas and Rooney are both part of the BBC’s punditry team for their coverage of Euro 2024.
There was a nice moment between the pair as Rooney revealed that he used Fabregas as inspiration.
Cesc Fabregas was left thrilled after Wayne Rooney revealed how he learned from him
Fabregas was asked by Gary Lineker who the best finisher he played alongside was, to which he replied Robin van Persie.
Speaking on BBC Sport, Fabregas said: ‘I’ve been lucky to play with great players in front of goal. But if I had to say one that surprised me the most, and that I saw from a young, early age, throughout his career is Robin van Persie.
‘I think Robin was more clinical. His overall play was fantastic and in front of goal, he could always come up with something very very special. When we were young, hours and hours and hours after training sessions.’
Lineker then commented on how Rooney also played with van Persie at Manchester United.
Fabregas revealed that Robin van Persie was the best finisher that he played with
Rooney took inspiration from Fabregas with regards to how to play with van Persie
He said: ‘You played with him when he went to Manchester United and you dropped into a 10 role. Is it true that you looked at videos of Cesc to see how he played?’
Rooney subsequently revealed that when he played in midfield he often watched Fabregas for inspiration.
Rooney said: ‘I watched Cesc, because I was dropping a bit deeper. Cesc and Robin had a really good relationship, so I knew that would be my role then, so I watched a lot of clips of you [Fabregas].’
Fabregas then asked Rooney whether watching him helped, to which the former Manchester United star replied: ‘Yeah it did! I think I then played a few passes, which you were known more to do for Robin to take the glory then. So I was on the other side. I was the one assisting but, yeah, I watched a lot of you.’
After leaving United, Rooney returned to Everton and later had spells at DC United and Derby County.
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