Cesc Fabregas picks Mathieu Flamini as best midfielder he has played with

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed that Mathieu Flamini is one of the best midfielders that he has played alongside.

The Spaniard has shared the pitch with a handful of Barcelona greats, including Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but he has singled out Flamini for praise.

Fabregas spent four seasons with Flamini at Arsenal before the Frenchman signed for AC Milan in 2008.

"I had two years playing next to Flamini and he covered me," Fabregas told the Football Daily. "He covers so much ground.

"If I say Iniesta or Xavi - yeah it's fantastic for the eyes but in real football it's not real for me. But if I had to choose one it would have to be between Gilberto Silva and Flamini."

Fabregas left Barcelona in 2014 to join Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea.