Nicolo Barella, an unrefined gem in midfield, touted as Fabregas replacement

While Chelsea say goodbye to a Premier League great in Cesc Fabregas, they are linked with a replacement who could one day be held in the same esteem as that Spaniard.

Calgiari midfielder Nicolo Barella has been touted for a move to a Premier League club in recent weeks. The 21-year-old central midfielder has endured a meteoric rise in Serie A in the last 18 months, stamping his authority on the Sardinian club.

The diminutive midfielders has received praise from the great Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo. The former Milan, Juventus and Italy midfielder claims the young Barella is ‘one of the best in Italy’.

The 21-year-old impressed last term, scoring six goals in Serie A, putting himself second in the charts of Cagliari’s top scorers behind Leonardo Pavoletti and his 11 goals. Those six goals are more than Fabregas ever managed for Chelsea in a Premier League campaign.

What impresses most about the Italy international is his assured and mature demeanor beyond his years. Couple that with footballing intelligence that can rival the Serie A greats that have come before him, and you have two key elements to producing all over Europe.

If Chelsea are to prise him away from Cagliari, they would be welcoming in a box to box midfielder with a cute left foot which can cause damage all over the pitch. He holds a childlike stature but is unafraid of the physical battle, and doing his part of the defensive duties, aiming to win the ball in all areas of the pitch.

But it is further forward he excels, his vision for a pass that can cut through defences and start a counter attack perfectly suit the style of play Maurizio Sarri aims to implement at Chelsea. His heart and determination, coupled with a fantastic engine mean his knack of winning the ball high up the pitch give him and his side an advantage in terms of attacking intent.

All of this does come with some negative aspects, Barella plays on the edge, which gives him all the positives going forward, but often walking a fine line defensively. Rash challenges can come as easily to Barella as an incisive pass. Emotionally driven in an atypically Italian form.

All of these ingredients produce a talent which despite being unrefined, can be polished into the finest jewel in Europe under the right guidance. Chelsea are not his only suitors, with Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli touted to be chasing his services, they will need to move fast, and pay a premium fee, if they want to land their man this winter.