Should Chelsea Stick or Twist with Cesc Fabregas?

When Cesc Fabregas signed for Chelsea 18 months ago, he was hailed as the saviour of the Blues' midfield.

It was an apparent masterstroke that reinforced Jose Mourinho's genius. The idea was that the Spain international's presence would add a creative edge and new dynamism to the way Chelsea played.

And it did.

For the first six months of 2014/15, Fabregas' partnership with Nemanja Matic seemed unflappable as Mourinho's side tore through the Premier League.

Then something dramatic happened. The 28-year-old lost form and the 14 assists he had picked up in the first part of the campaign became a mere five in Chelsea's title run-in from New Year's Day.

In 2015 alone, he collected a total of just seven assists in the Premier League, scoring only once himself.

Those stats are important here as they're exactly what Fabregas is judged on. He's the playmaker in this Chelsea side, and it's he who is supposed to be delivering the cutting edge to open up defences.

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Since he stopped doing that, it's no coincidence that Chelsea's fortunes have declined.

Right now, Fabregas simply isn't proving productive enough for a number of reasons—namely that teams have worked Chelsea out and that's limiting his influence.

But that doesn't mean Chelsea should be turning their back on a player who is undoubtedly one of the finest in his position in the Premier League. It would be ludicrous in the extreme.

The recent 3-0 defeat of Crystal Palace tells us that.

Since Guus Hiddink replaced Mourinho last month, Chelsea's development has been gradual, if not slow. The interim manager has kept the same system, with a few tweaks to personnel being his main input on the team.

The same problems as before have remained. We've seen a lack of confidence and application result in draws with Watford and Manchester United when Chelsea had the opportunities to take all three points.

Had they done so, the Blues would now be in the top 10 on the same points as Stoke City and Watford, seven points off the top four. Instead they remain 14th.

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Against the Hornets on Boxing Day, it was Oscar's fluffed penalty that turned three points into one. At Old Trafford, Matic's lack of composure in front of goal saw him blaze over the bar when one-on-one with David de Gea.

Palace seemed to be a turning point, though. It was a tour de force.

Not once this season have we seen these Chelsea players perform with such authority against any opponent. They were first to every ball at Selhurst Park and played with an energy that suggests we're closer to witnessing a return to their best than we have been at any point since the close of the previous campaign.

A big reason for that display on Sunday was the performance of John Obi Mikel and his marshaling of the midfield. But alongside him in the pivot, Fabregas was back pulling the strings.

Where Mikel was winning the physical battle, the former Arsenal and Barcelona man was reminding us of just what a clinical player he can be, threading through the defence-splitting balls that have long been his forte.

It was because of him that Chelsea took the lead midway through the first half.

Fabregas picked out Diego Costa with a sweet pass that left Damien Delaney completely isolated. The Palace defender didn't know whether to stick or twist and by the time he had made up his mind, it was too late.

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Costa had evaded him and was squaring to Oscar to tap into an empty net. The game changed from there and Chelsea asserted themselves.

It was a rare moment of brilliance in what still remains a dire campaign for the champions. Equally, though, it served as a reminder of how Chelsea will get themselves out of this hole they find themselves in—through that magic touch few players can bring.

Fabregas is one of those and as Sunday showed, if he has the right sort of protection, he's a lethal presence.

Chelsea are still trying to find that balance between style and substance, which is what Hiddink himself has been discussing since his return to the club.

The new boss has been tinkering with players in an attempt to get Chelsea playing football in the right areas.

If Mikel is the answer to that from a defensive position, there isn't anyone better at the club than Fabregas to add the panache every successful side requires.

Chelsea fans were singing about his "magic hat" for a reason last season, and they shouldn't be too eager to forget just why.

Nor should those who make the big decisions at Stamford Bridge.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes