Cesc Fabregas is no diver and football needs to get over its current obsession with simulation, according to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

Fabregas was issued with a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor at Southampton on Sunday having gone down in the box after contact with Saints defender Matt Targett.

The Spaniard was outraged at the punishment and manager Jose Mourinho later ranted that it was evidence of a 'campaign' against the Blues.

Protest: Cesc Fabregas remonstrates with referee Anthony Taylor

Drogba, who is something of a reformed character having admitted to diving in the past, insisted that all of this was a fuss over not very much.

Asked directly if Fabregas is a diver, the Blues' legend was clear: “No he is not.

“From the bench it is difficult to see. I want to believe that it is a penalty, because Cesc is saying it.”

Anger: Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas looks dejected

On the subject of the current focus on diving, Drogba was disappointed that so much talk was being spent on what he sees as a minor issue.

“I think it is too much,” he said of the recent headlines made by accusations of simulation. “Sometimes this kind of thing... I think it is a game, and the game is fast, so these kind of things can happen. But it’s not (happening) too much.”

Blues stuttered on the south coast at the weekend, drawing 1-1, but were helped by Manchester City surrendering a two-goal lead against Burnley to maintain their three-point cushion at the top of the Premier League.