This weekends Saturday Night Football pits the champions of the past two seasons against one another at Stamford Bridge.In August, few would have anticipated that, come the business end of the season, Manchester City - buoyed by a summer spending spree in excess of £150m - would trail Leicester by 15 points. Fewer still that defending champions Chelsea would be embroiled in a battle to simply finish in the top half.Kevin De Bruynes emphatic impact on his return to the Premier League was far easier to predict. Chelsea paid £6.7m to Genk for De Bruyne in January 2012, but it wasnt until Jose Mourinhos return to the club ahead of the 2013/14 season that he was awarded his chance in west London. Kevin De Bruyne has been a key man for Man City this season Then, after only nine appearances in all competitions, and just 132 minutes of Premier League football, he was sold to Wolfsburg in January 2014.The Belgian playmaker excelled last season with the Bundesliga outfit, and hasnt looked back since. Most assists in Europes top five leagues since August 2014 Player Team Assists Kevin De Bruyne Wolfsburg/Man City 29 Lionel Messi Barcelona 28 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 27 Luis Suarez Barcelona 26 Dimitri Payet Marseille/West Ham 25 His creative capabilities have been clearly demonstrated throughout his inaugural season in Manchester.Despite a recent 12-game absence with a knee injury, only Mesut Ozil and Dimitri Payet have created more chances per 90 minutes than De Bruyne this season, while only Ozil, David Silva and Gerard Deulofeu have averaged more assists per 90 minutes than Man Citys number 17. His influence for Manuel Pellegrinis side is evident. Man City with and without De Bruyne - all comps 2015/16 With Without 35 Games 16 21 Wins 8 60 Win % 50 22.8 Lose % 31.25 2.2 Goals per game 1.6 Since De Bruynes 2014 departure, Chelsea have spent £96.5m on midfielders, and even the most devoted Chelsea supporter would surely agree that only Cesc Fabregas has been a success - although even he divides opinion amongst Chelseas fan base. Chelseas midfield signings since De Bruynes departure Mohamed Salah - Jan 2014, Basel, ￡11mCesc Fabregas - Jun 2014, Barcelona, ￡30mJuan Cuadrado - Feb 2015, Fiorentina, ￡23.3mNathan - May 2015, Atletico Paranaense, ￡4.5mPedro - Aug 2015, Barcelona, ￡21.4mKennedy - Aug 2015, Fluminense, ￡6.3m So exactly how much has Fabregas achieved at Stamford Bridge? His initial impact was spectacular. He created two goals on his debut for the club in a 3-1 Premier League win at Burnley, and finished the campaign with a league-high 18 assists - although 15 of those came within his first 21 appearances. Cesc Fabregas performances have improved under Guus Hiddink Since returning to the Premier League, only Ozil (23) has more assists than Fabregas 22, and no player has attempted, or completed, more passes in the English top flight this season. Premier League passes - 2015/16 Player Passes Successful passes Cesc Fabregas 2,340 1,964 Andrew Surman 1,988 1,698 Mesut Ozil 1,896 1,636 Glenn Whelan 1,807 1,572 Aaron Ramsey 1,759 1,513 Fabregas return of four goals and four assists from 31 Premier League appearances this season, however, has done little to stem the tide of discontent from certain sections of the Chelsea faithful. It could be argued that he is a victim of his own success, or that his connections to Arsenal make him an easier target than the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar, who would surely be the first to admit they have failed to replicate the form of seasons past - they have a combined nine goals and assists in the league this season.After all, Fabregas is one of the divisions all-time top creative talents. Premier League - all-time assists Ryan Giggs - 162Frank Lampard - 102Dennis Bergkamp - 94Wayne Rooney - 94Cesc Fabregas - 92 The pessimism directed at Fabregas from the terraces earlier this season was as much down to his perceived contribution in Mourinhos demise as it was to his form, although under Guus Hiddink, he has flourished in comparison. Cesc Fabregas - 2015/16 Premier League Under Mourinho Under Hiddink 16 Apps 14 0 Goals 4 2 Assists 2 1.56 Chances created per game 1.79 68 Passes per game 84 Since arriving at Chelsea in June 2014, the diminutive Spaniard has either scored or assisted goals against every side currently above them in the Premier League table, barring one - Manchester City. Fabregas is yet to score or assist against Man City since joining Chelsea He does have a particularly strong record against City throughout his career, and scored in successive Premier League home wins for Arsenal in 06/07 and 07/08. Cesc Fabregas record v Man City Played Won Drawn Lost Home 8 6 2 0 Away 10 6 1 3 Overall 18 12 3 3 This Premier League campaign will be one both Chelsea and Manchester City will be pleased to consign to the history books. Both have new faces in the hot-seat for next season, and De Bruyne is undoubtedly one of the few players who can feel secure of his place in Pep Guardiolas re-shuffled pack at the Etihad next season.Fabregas struggles over the last 14 months mean his place in Antonio Contes Chelsea squad come August is less assured, and he will need to maintain his recent improvements to ensure he doesnt become another expensive acquisition of Roman Abramovich that doesnt fulfil their substantial price tag.Watch Chelsea v Man City live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday Night Football from 5pm.Also See:De Bruyne one of Europes bestHazards rapid declineTyler Chatwood Cubs Jersey . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. Koji Uehara Jersey . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. https://www.cheapcubs.com/460t-ryan-dempster-jersey-cubs.html .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Ben Zobrist Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Addison Russell Jersey . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said.Throughout the Tour de France, Australian professional cyclist Richie Porte will be checking in. Here is his latest entry, as told to ESPN contributor Rupert Guinness:Stage 17: Berne to Finhaut-Emosson, SwitzerlandIt was a move I had to make if Im going to earn a place on the podium of the Tour de France.That move was my attack within the last two kilometres of Wednesdays 17th stage. I know Ive been saying I feel Im in good form, but the value of that finish in the first of four stages in the Alps adds weight to it.Not that I havent ridden as well in the Tour before. I have, but in different circumstances, especially when I used to ride for Chris Froome (Sky).But this year its different, coming to BMC from Sky to race for myself. That opportunity is why I left Sky after all. I wanted to see how I can go in the Tour as a protected team leader.Wednesdays 17th stage from Berne to Finhaut-Emosson was a day where in that role, I showed I could climb with the best, despite having done it many times while helping Froome.My move near the finish of the stage wasnt planned - it was instinctive really. I set off wanting to drop everyone and finish the stage alone. But seeing Froome as the rider who got across to me was not such a surprise. He is the Tours overall leader after all, and yes ... he closed that gap between us quite easily.But I have to give it to Froome. While once he joined me in my move he didnt offer a turn, he didnt come over to me at the end either.ddddddddddddhen I first looked back and saw Froome there on my wheel - and the yellow jersey - he even said, Look mate, we are taking time. He then said: Good job, as encouragement.Looking back, given our past as former teammates - and even currently, as good mates - I can understand why interest in the two of us being off the front. But he is strong. His team is also clearly strong. The race will be interesting from here on in to the finish in Paris.Which all means the next stage is just as important as what Wednesdays stage was.The Tour resumes on Thursday, stage 18 and a time-trial from Sallanches to Megève.Ill get up as usual - at 8.30am. Then it will be breakfast as usual, followed by a final recon of the course, then lunch and some rest - but no napping. I dont nap well.Then it will be time to head back down to the stage start where I will warm-up for another race of truth.We all know a great ride on Thursday will do wonders to help me make best of the final two days in the Alps before the Tour finishes on Sunday with the final and 21st stage into Paris.But likewise, we all know that in a time trial its eventually up to me to produce that ride. ' ' '
