Spain international Cesc Fabregas could stay put at Chelsea next season with Antonio Conte looking to draft Nemanja Matic away from Stamford Bridge.

The World Cup winner played second fiddle to the likes of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic last term and it was not until the final stages of the campaign, did he earn a regular run in the starting line-up.

Despite this, he was dropped in the FA Cup final against his former club where Matic put a rather awful performance before he was substituted. Fabregas stated after the game that he is open to deciding his future in the summer, but according to Metro, Conte will keep hold of the Spaniard’s services.

Fabregas, 29, provided key goals during the Blues’ Premier League triumph from the bench, and Conte is open to the idea of using his abilities next season with the Champions League likely to present a whole new challenge. Chelsea are due to announce their first summer signing in the form of Tiemoue Bakayoko this week, and all of this suggests that Fabregas will have to contend with a similar role as last season. Nevertheless, he will get the nod as the third-choice midfielder with Nemanja Matic seemingly on his way to Manchester United.

Fabregas could also be deployed higher up the field in a number ’10’ role, and this presents the Blues with additional options in the attack, considering Eden Hazard would be sidelined for the opening months of the 2017/18 season due to a surgery on a broken ankle. The former Barcelona man has won two Premier League titles since his England return in the summer of 2014, and he will have the Champions League at the top of his focus next term as he looks to fight for his position under Antonio Conte.