Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has reportedly promised Cesc Fabregas more football and bigger role next season. Will the boss be able to follow through?
Cesc Fabregas has been the subject of some, not much, transfer speculation this summer. He didn’t enjoy excessive amounts of football last season and there have been murmurs that he may leave. However, the latest reports claim that Antonio Conte has promised the Spaniard more of everything in a bid to keep him.
The Evening Standard states that the boss met with Fabregas to lay out his plans for him.
"Standard Sport understands that Conte has held a meeting with the Spain international to reassure him of his role in the side.It is believed the Chelsea boss admitted to the 30-year-old that he should have played more during their title winning campaign last term."
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Fabregas only properly featured in the second half of the campaign. He was a professional in the early part of the season, saying all the right things and waiting for his opportunity. Moreover, he impressed each time he took to the field.
However, can Fabregas feasibly have a bigger role next term?
With the arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Chelsea’s central midfield will be mainly comprised of the new signing alongside N’Golo Kante. If the Blues stick to the 3-4-3 formation they employed to great success last season, then there is no room for Fabregas.
He cannot play in the wingback roles and he is not dynamic or quick enough to play in the advanced wing positions. Right off the bat, Fabregas will not enjoy more football.
If Conte shifts to the 3-5-2 set-up, then prospects are somewhat brighter. Assuming Kante and Bakayoko again partner each other, that leaves one space for a more enterprising midfielder.
Fabregas, despite his many talents, does not appropriately fill such a role. The Spaniard prefers to sit and dish the ball, as his many long-range assists show. However, with Kante and Bakayoko largely occupying the deeper space, a huge gap between attack and midfield will develop.
Having said that, Chelsea have few other candidates in that position. Oscar would have been ideal, but he is no longer in West London. Meanwhile, someone like Ruben Loftus-Cheek would also be an option, but he’s with Crystal Palace. Nathaniel Chalobah? Let’s not get into that…
Eden Hazard is the most likely rival for the position, but he hasn’t looked at his best in similar slots previously for the club.
Next: Conte’s long-term project: Principle and discipline at Chelsea
At this early stage in pre-season preparation, Fabregas’ hopes of a more significant role lay on a switch to the 3-5-2. Whether that formation best utilises the talents that Chelsea currently possess is a different question. Could the Blues succeed with Bakayoko, Kante and Fabregas all starting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!