Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas will fight to earn a place in Antonio Conte’s starting line-up and is not seeking a transfer away from the club.
Fabregas has been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus after being left out of Conte’s side for Chelsea’s opening game victory over West Ham on Monday night.
Sources close to Fabregas insist the 29-year-old is not contemplating a summer transfer away from the Blues and is focused on earning a place in Conte’s team.
Fabregas is settled in London and is determined to prove his worth to Conte, with Chelsea understood to be happy to keep the Spaniard at Stamford Bridge.
Fabregas cost £30 million when he joined Chelsea from Barcelona in 2014 and after an impressive first campaign in which he helped the club to the Premier League title and the League Cup, he struggled for form last season.
The former Arsenal captain has been impressed by Conte since the Italian took over as Chelsea’s new manager last month and believes the west Londoners can challenge for the title once again this term.
Conte insisted after Monday night’s last-gasp 2-1 win over West Ham that Fabregas was part of his plans and praised the midfielder’s attitude in training.
Conte said: “Cesc is Chelsea’s player, and I’m happy about him, with his attitude and behaviour.
“He must know from before that when we are a great team like Chelsea it can happen that I have to take a decision before the game to choose a starting XI.
“That can happen that Fabregas is not in the starting XI, but it can happen for all the players. It’s important to see always the right attitude. Because we must fight this season and it’s important to stay together in every situation.”
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