Despite spending many years as adversaries, first when playing for FC Porto and Benfica and now at Manchester City and Chelsea, Fernando admits he holds great admiration for the Blues midfielder.
The Brazilian defensive midfielder told the Mirror that he would like to follow in the Serbian’s footsteps, but that he would do anything to win when the two sides meet this weekend in the top of the table clash.
The 27-year-old said: “I played against him in Portugal several times and he is a really great player. He is a player that has become incredibly important to Chelsea. He has so much quality.
“There are not many players like him left now, I think, but he is one of those I try to look at and learn from as I try to improve the way I play that role. I always try to watch these players in this position because there are so few left and I know I can learn from them.”
