Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has insisted that he’ll be ‘100 per cent staying’ at Stamford Bridge over to next season, as his situation at the club has changed radically over the last six months.
The Spain international had a rough start to the season under new boss Antonio Conte, as the Italian preferred to start Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante in his two-man midfield.
Kante and Matic have done extremely well this season, which has naturally made Fabregas’ chance to break into the starting eleven more and more difficult.
Due to his lack of playing time the 29-year-old was constantly being linked with a move to Serie A or the Chinese Super League, but he now wants us to know that he’s fully determined to challenge himself in this very team, and doesn’t want to leave the club at the end of the term.
“[I will be staying] 100 per cent. I am not thinking about anything else than challenging myself here. The situation from six months ago to now has changed massively. From the beginning it has been a big challenge and there are always rumours, you cannot stop that, but I don’t even care what people say. Not for one second did I want to leave.
Sometimes it’s so easy, you don’t play two games, you get frustrated and upset and want to move somewhere else, but for me it’s the opposite; I want to challenge myself.
I know in my brain what I can do and if I am better than others or not. I know what I can bring to this team and by improving and listening to the manager and what he wants and doesn’t want, I know myself what I can give.
I have been proving myself every time I have had a chance and I will not stop until I play every game which is what I want.”
Despite only starting five games in the league, Fabregas has assisted six goals and scored two goals to his name, also putting in quality performances in the FA Cup.
His previous display against Wolverhampton might even award him a starting place in today’s line-up, which he hopes to achieve more often.
“It’s been shown in many games this year, even when I have come on for five minutes, I have done something to make a change in the team.
The most important thing is when you have the chance you take it and I think I have done that throughout the season. It’s a challenge to be ready every time the coach needs you and then change his mind and trust you more and make it into the team.
You always have to compete against players. Sometimes you are on the pitch and have to compete with players so they don’t overtake you. This season it has been the other way around, I have had to compete more in training or in the little minutes I had to prove myself to try to be in the starting XI.”
– Cesc Fabregas, Sky Sports
