Chelsea news: Antonio Conte insists Cesc Fabregas’ future lies at Stamford Bridge but warns player to improve defensively

Fabregas’s position at the club has been thrown into focus by the Spain midfielder’s failure so far to start a Premier League game

Cesc Fabregas (Getty)

Antonio Conte insists Cesc Fabregas’ future lies with Chelsea but has warned the midfielder must improve the defensive side of his game if he is to establish himself as an integral part of the Italian’s starting line-up.

Fabregas’s position at Stamford Bridge has been thrown into focus by the Spain midfielder’s failure so far to start a Premier League game. The midfielder has seen just 26 minutes of league action in two substitute appearances with his only start coming against Bristol Rovers in the League Cup.

While Conte has declared himself satisfied with the player’s response, the head coach has offered a clear sign he believes Fabregas – who is again expected to start on the bench when Liverpool visit west London this evening - is falling short on his less eye-catching defensive work.

The Italian, though, acknowledges that is also a collective failing and has warned his team as a whole must learn to “feel the danger” if they are to improve on a record that has brought just one clean sheet in five games so far this season.

“Cesc is in my plans and in Chelsea's plans,” said Conte. “In my opinion he's improving a lot on many aspects, above all the defensive situations. If he continues in this way, it'll be very difficult for me to choose my midfield. But I want this from a player, putting many doubts in my mind over choosing someone else. I'm very clear with my players: when a player deserves to play, I put him in the team.”

Conte has no shortage of reasons to be satisfied with the way his side has progressed during the opening games of the season with last weekend’s draw at Swansea denying them the chance to go into the meeting with Liverpool backed by a 100 percent record. The failure to maintain more clean sheets, however, stands out in the Italian’s eyes.

“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. “Always, feel the dangers during the match. The English league is very difficult, very tough, and it's difficult to manage a result at 1-0 or 2-0.

Fabregas has spent much time watching from the sideline this season (Getty Images)

“It's easier to do that in Italy where you can control the situation. In England in the last 20 minutes, anything can happen. For this reason, we must feel the dangers for the whole 95 minutes and never relax. Never. This league is so tough. One long ball and you can concede a goal.”

The head coach is convinced, however, there has been progress in comparison to last season’s efforts and singled out the contribution of Oscar to giving the side a more balanced look. The form of the Brazil international also offers a pointer towards the ground Fabregas must make up if he is to work his way into favour.

“I always thought that this team needed to find a good balance when you have the ball and, above all, when you don't have the ball,” said Conte. “Last season Chelsea conceded 53 league goals. I was thinking of this situation. Now, we have found the right compromise between defensive and offensive situations.

“Oscar is a good player, great technique, and can do both facets: both offensive and defensive. I asked him to stay always focused on the game, to stay in the game. He's an important player for Chelsea: good passing, good technique. He can also score a goal. He sees the goal very well.”

Chelsea go into tonight’s fixture without having been involved in European competition, a result of last season’s disastrous campaign, and Conte admits watching the Champions League fixtures this week has proved painful and reinforced the targets for this season.

He said: “This is the first time of the Abramovich era that Chelsea haven't played in this competition, a fantastic competition. I think Chelsea must play in this competition. It's very strange, yes. Not good, yesterday and Tuesday, watching the competition on television. For this reason we must work very hard to make sure that, next season, we are in this tournament. Chelsea must play in the Champions League.”