Fabregas needs to improve defensively, says manager Conte

When Conte didn’t start the player against Liverpool, the team’s 1-2 loss to the Reds also meant many fans thought Fabregas’ reinstatement to the first team could change things for the side.

It’s a negative midfield lineup that lacks creativity outside of the Brazilian.

The 25-year-old endured a hard 2015-16 campaign as he made just 20 Premier League starts and was regularly criticised by the club’s fans. Chelsea’s forward players will be a lot happier making runs and receiving passes from Fabregas than they will Matic.

Fabregas, 29, has always been a sleak passer with a keen eye for goal when called upon, and this proved to be a key ingredient as the Blues lifted the English crown in the 2014-15 season.

Fabregas came on as a late substitute during the 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool, failing to influence events.

Nonetheless, the one aspect of Conte’s reign that has perplexed me the most is the Italian’s insistence on playing Nemanja Matic ahead of Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder just isn’t up to Chelsea’s caliber anymore. At worst, other clubs might assume that Conte has correctly assessed Fabregas’ skills as inadequate for big-time competition.

“This season, we kept a clean sheet only once, only Burnley, and I always repeat to my players: we must feel the danger”, said Conte. Admittedly, Matic isn’t exclusively responsible for conceding six goals, but he also hasn’t prevented these goals.

“I have to choose 11 players but if it happens that I decide to play with Cesc, another player will be on the bench and I want to see the same attitude and behaviour of Cesc”.

According to The Mirror, the player could be the subject of a transfer tussle in the New Year with Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan being the prime candidates for his signature. Fabregas (and Oscar) could play the number 10 role.