Jose Mourinho was purring after watching his Chelsea team defeat Swansea City 5-0 in the Premier League this weekend."Its the way we play," he said of Chelsea's second goal, a beautifully crafted move that was finished off by Diego Costa."I was on the bench saying it was a similar goal in terms of principles to the one we scored against Burnley in the first game of the season."Indeed, it was.And in both instances, which player made the decisive pass' Cesc Fabregas.Chelsea are playing the football they are right now because of their Spanish midfielder. Almost single-handed he has delivered the third dimension to Stamford Bridge.In the words of YouTube sensation Andy Tate, he's introduced that famed "Barca style of play" to his club.It's unfairand lazy for that matterto suggest Chelsea are replicating the style that has made Barcelona so successful in the modern era, but what we're seeing is an element of that.We're witnessing a perfect storm of ideologies.One aspect is the Barcelona model based on the tiki-taka model, passing it around and through the opposition. The other is Mourinho's pragmatism.Whereas Fabregas played in an Arsenal side that was often guilty of overplaying, Chelsea come with an end product.Mourinho's team is direct. It's not possession for possession's sakethere is a purpose to it all.Is it any better than what we have seen from a club like Barcelona' Trophies will give us that answer, something Mourinho himself is well aware of when he suggests all we're seeing now means nothing; Chelsea will not be remembered unless they make history.In just six months, Fabregas is setting them on the path to doing that.His impact has been without equal in the Premier League this season. He tops the assists table with 15 and no other player has influenced a team like he has.Diego Costa's exploits in front of goal have got the crowd off their feet, but put Fabregas in this Chelsea team last season and the Premier league would have long been wrapped up before Chelsea gift-wrapped it for Manchester City by defeating Liverpool in April.Think of those frustrating defeats to Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Sunderlandthey wouldn't have happened with Fabregas on the scene.Chelsea were annoyingly static in those matches. They lacked energy and an ability to keep the ball moving.When Tony Pulis, Gus Poyet and Paul Lambert put men behind the ball, packed midfield and made little space in the final third, Chelsea got frustrated. They made poor decisions and paid the price by being hit on the break.They were beaten at their own game.Palace, Villa and Sunderland may not be as good at doing it, but nonetheless, they got the better of Chelsea on those occasions.Teams can no longer do that anymore.Fabregas gets Chelsea moving and he gets them moving quick. His eye for a pass and quick decision-making ensure he is the vital cog in this machine.He has made them clinical.Teams do not have time to breath. Chelsea aren't the same static team anymore, simply putting men behind the ball against them isn't going to work.West Ham United did that last January and traveled back to east London with a point for their efforts, drawing 0-0. When they tried the same thing on Boxing Day this season, they lost 2-0.It took Chelsea 30 minutes to break them down, but break them down they did.In Mourinho's first campaign back at Stamford Bridge, he played the long game in his development. The manager knew a clear-out was required to fine-tune this team.Mourinho knew what Chelsea needed and slowly went about assembling it. There hasn't been a major spending spree, the spreadsheet has been balanced much like the dressing room.That's where the pragmatism has come into it. It's not just about being direct and doing what you need to on the pitch, Chelsea have applied those very principles to shaping their team.Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been guilty of buying players they haven't needed.A glut of attacking flair may excite fans on deadline day, but over the course of a season, it only serves to frustrate them when the results aren't forthcoming.Chelsea needed a playmaker to complement the vast talents of Eden Hazard and they got one. They got Fabregas.Hazard is a magician, yet there is an air of a selfish streak about his game. As there should be with any player in his position.The Belgian is direct and his sole aim is the goal. He runs around defenders, teases themeven runs through them at timesbut the aim is always the same.Fabregas is different. He's the counter for which Chelsea revolve. Everything goes through him, he's the heartbeat.Given his history at Arsenal and Barcelonaclubs not totally enamored with Chelseait was a surprise when he pitched his tent in west London last summer.Now time has shown any thoughts of that nature should have been on the contrary.Mourinho sold Fabregas the dreamthis is his team, one built for him.Now Fabregas is helping turn the dreams of thousands into a reality.Chelsea fans wanted to see the club successful again. With Cesc, those desires are looking like being delivered.Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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