Senderos relishing reunion with Fabregas Aston Villas trip to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon will not only feature two of the Barclays Premier Leagues top three clubs going head to head, it will also be a special reunion for defender Philippe Senderos, who will take on close friend and former team-mate Cesc Fabregas at Stamford Bridge. The pair were teenagers when they joined Arsenal time and became close after living together during their early years in the capital. Senderos moved to Arsenal from Servette in his native Switzerland in 2003, at the age of 18. In the same year, Fabregas, then 16, left his native Barcelona for north London and, as foreigners living together in a new country, a bond developed between the two over the three years they shared accommodation. Fabregas said Senderos was like an older brother in helping him to settle into life in London We are still very good friends, Senderos told avfc.co.uk. We moved into digs together in the first year that I was in England and we still get on. So it is a long friendship.Im pleased for him that he is doing well at Chelsea He didnt speak a word of English when he moved to Arsenal. So I was next to him and trying to help him in everything he needed. But he picked it up pretty quickly. He is a terrific player. He speaks on the pitch better than anyone. After six years at Arsenal and spells at Milan, Everton, Fulham and Valencia, central defender Senderos, now 29, moved to Aston Villa this summer on a free transfer and has started all five matches in their eye-catching start to the new campaign. Villa have won three of their opening five matches, against Stoke City, Hull City and Liverpool, drawing one before losing last time out against Arsenal. For Villa manager Paul Lambert, the contribution made by Senderos to a defence that had conceded only once in their opening four matches before the 3-0 defeat by Arsenal has been valuable. Hes been excellent for us, Lambert said. Philippe has a real pedigree. Hes a great professional. He looks after himself and does everything right. His performances on the pitch have been exceptional. Senderos impressive start for his new club has been matched by Fabregas, who signed for Chelsea in the summer after three seasons at Barcelona. Fabregas, 27, has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge, recording six assists in his first five matches for the Blues to help them move to the top of the Barclays Premier League table with four wins out of five. Im pleased for him that he is doing well at Chelsea, Senderos said. His dream was to go back to Spain and play for Barcelona in his home town. But he also now has a fantastic environment where he can develop at Chelsea. He is really happy.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 08:26:48 +0000
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