By Daily Sports on September 22, 2016

Cesc Fabregas says he feels “like a little boy” trying to prove to head coach Antonio Conte that he deserves a place in Chelsea’s starting XI, but insists he will not be discouraged by his vastly reduced minutes this season.

Conte has favoured Oscar and Nemanja Matic alongside summer signing N’Golo Kante in a three-man midfield in the Premier League, and handed Fabregas only his second start of the campaign against Leicester City in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday night.

The Spaniard responded by scoring two extra-time goals to earn Chelsea a 4-2 victory at the King Power, and after the match said he was happy to show Conte what he could do when given a first-team chance.

Conte’s benching of Fabregas has prompted intense speculation over the midfielder’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge and while he has never wavered in his desire to fight for his Chelsea place, the 29-year-old admits it has been difficult to come to terms with.

“It’s been tough, I’m not going to deny it,” Fabregas told the London Evening Standard. “But the last thing I will do is complain, just give up or feel down.

“Something from inside of me is coming out that is stronger than ever and I feel like a little boy training trying to win my spot back, as I used to do at Arsenal when I was 16.

“I always give my everything. You can have worse days, you can have moments when maybe you’re not at your best, but I always give my best. I have been training very hard and it is a new situation for me in my career after 13 years of basically playing in everything for clubs and the national team. (NAN)

•Photo shows Cesc Fabregas

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 21, 2016

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