Diego can play his way into St. Andrews folklore

It’s two goals in two pre-season games for Diego Fabbrini who seems to have found the goal trail. The Italian scored in Blues’ 3-0 win at Forest Green Rovers this afternoon.

It was said recently that in order to have an impact as effective as Jon Toral’s stint at the club, Fabbrini has to add goals to his game. If he can carry this early pre-season form into the new season, he will be a massive asset to Gary Rowett.

Fabbrini’s ability has never been called into question. His initial loan spell at St. Andrews in 2015 was a successful one – despite him not opening his goalscoring account. Then, after signing permanently in January, he was hampered by a toe injury and a reputation for going to ground easily. Forcing his way into the team ahead of Toral, Blues’ player of the season, proved a tough ask. But after an injury put an end to the Spaniard’s loan spell, Fabbrini was given centre stage.

It’s fair the say that the 25 year-old started coming into his own towards the latter stages of the season and offered glimpses of what’s to come.

This summer was earmarked as a key one for the San Giuliano Terme born playmaker. The £1.5m Blues paid Watford for his services was seen as a significant outlay given the economy in B9. To say Fabbrini has hit the ground running is an understatement – saying he’s been the linchpin of the team in the opening two summer warm-ups is a more accurate assessment.

There’s no doubting that the money laid out adds pressure. Blues fans will want value plus interest for their most expensive signing in a number of years. But there’s a feeling creeping in at St. Andrews that Fabbrini can play his way into Blues folklore.