Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas dismisses reports Conte told him to leave

Cesc Fabregas has moved to dismiss suggestions that Antonio Conte has told him he can leave Chelsea this summer as speculation continues to intensify around the midfielder's future at Stamford Bridge.

Reports in the British media on Sunday claimed that Conte has privately confirmed he has no place in his team for Fabregas, who was restricted to a substitute role in Chelsea's Premier League victories over West Ham and Watford and remained on the bench during Saturday's win over Burnley.

But Fabregas has now taken to social media to deny the reports, reiterating his commitment to Chelsea and insisting he has no problem with Conte.

"Contrary to what has been written, the manager and I have a good relationship and he has NEVER told me that I can leave," Fabregas tweeted.

"He said that he counts on me, as I count on him. I will continue to fight for this club until the very end and when called upon I will always give my very best.

"I'm fully committed to @ChelseaFC and my only goal is to help them win football matches."

Fabregas joined Chelsea from Barcelona for a fee of £30 million in June 2014 and has made 97 appearances in all competitions since, registering 18 Premier League assists in his debut season at Stamford Bridge as the Blues claimed the title in convincing fashion under Jose Mourinho.

The Spaniard remained an ever-present last season, starting 37 of 38 Premier League matches, but was forced to publicly deny reports that he had actively sought to undermine Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in December after presiding over a disastrous title defence.

Conte has favoured Oscar over Fabregas as the primary midfield creator in his starting XI since taking over in July, with numerous reports claiming that the Italian is unimpressed by the 29-year-old's defensive positioning and work rate.

Chelsea supporters, however, remain broadly supportive of Fabregas, regularly cheering his arrival onto the pitch as a substitute this season and chanting his name after a trademark through ball set up Diego Costa to score an 87th-minute winner against Watford at Vicarage Road earlier this month.

^ Back to Top ^