Cesc Fabregas admits it's been a difficult season for him but believes he has "matured a lot" after ignoring those who suggested he could not thrive under Antonio Conte at Chelsea.
Chelsea moved to within three points of being crowned Premier League champions with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Monday and Fabregas, starting in place of the injured N'Golo Kante, was the most influential player on the pitch.
It was only the Spain international's 11th Premier League start of the season, but embracing the role of impact substitute has earned him praise from Conte and enabled him to contribute more assists (11) than any other Chelsea player. Only Kevin De Bruyne (15), Gylfi Sigurdsson and Christian Eriksen (both 12) have set up more goals this season.
"It's been different year for me," Fabregas said. "I'm used to playing every single game, week-in, week-out for every club I've been at but I feel I've matured a lot this year.
"It's not easy what happened to me -- many people told me I'm not the type of player for Antonio, told me I should leave but I like challenges and this was a big challenge.
"Obviously I haven't played every single game but the last 20 or so games I have played, of course not from the start. But I feel the quality of my minutes whenever I've been on the pitch have been fantastic, so maybe my contribution has been even bigger than when I've played more in other seasons.
"I've had to have patience and accept that sometimes these thing happen. Play for the team. It's a different season for me but I'm proud of what I've done."
Asked about Fabregas' performance after the Middlesbrough win, Conte said: "Cesc is one of the best examples for our season because he didn't start a lot. Then, through work, through hard work, he improved a lot. And now he's playing in every game. I think this development of Cesc is our development.
"We started the season not in the right way, with a lot of problems, but only through hard work did we find the right solutions and the right way. Now Cesc is showing himself to be a fantastic player. I'm pleased for him.
"I saw, this season, that he put himself in this team in every moment -- if he played or if he didn't play."
Victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns on Friday will see Chelsea seal a second Premier League title in three seasons, and fifth overall, and Conte has urged his players to take the first of "three chances" to become champions again.
"We want to get it done on Friday," Fabregas added. "I have experience in winning titles and the quicker you can get it done the better.
"Trust me, you don't want to give opportunities to anyone. We will not wait so if it can happen on Friday let it be. Then we can focus on the FA Cup. But Friday is a final for us."