Cesc Fàbregas remains part of Chelsea’s plans, says Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte insists Cesc Fàbregas remains part of his plans and still has a future at Chelsea despite the Spain international having only a bit-part role in the Premier League so far this season.

Fàbregas has played only 26 minutes of top-flight football this season, in cameos from the bench at Watford and Swansea City, with Conte having preferred the industry of Oscar and Nemanja Matic in front of N’Golo Kanté’s busy energy. The 29-year-old, a £30 million signing from Barcelona in the summer of 2014 and a key member of the team that claimed the title in his first season, made his only start this term in the EFL Cup win over Bristol Rovers.

There had been suggestions that Milan might seek to secure his services, potentially on loan, in January, but the Chelsea boss still sees his future at Stamford Bridge.

“Cesc is in my plans and in Chelsea’s plans,” Conte said. “We all know Cesc is a fantastic player. I see him in every training session with great work and effort. If he continues in this way, it’ll be very difficult for me not to choose him in my midfield.

“But I want this from a player, putting many doubts in my mind over choosing someone else. Cesc is a great player. We all know Cesc, a great technical player. Now I’m starting to get to know him as a man, a great personality.”

Luiz debut

Fàbregas is still expected to begin on the bench in Friday’s Premier League game against

Liverpool

, when

David Luiz

will make his second debut for the club following his €40 million arrival from Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazil defender replaces

John Terry

, who will sit out at least another week with strained ankle ligaments.

“Tomorrow David Luiz will play for the first time with us, and we expect him to play very well, with great attention,” said Conte of David Luiz, whose first Chelsea debut was also against Liverpool in a 1-0 home defeat in February 2011. “We know David is a great player. We are working to put him in the best condition to give us the best of him. When new players arrive at a club, it’s normal that they need time to adapt to our concept and idea of football. But tomorrow we need him; we need David Luiz to play. He’s worked a lot the last few days on defensive situations with the ball, when we are in possession. So I’m confident in him.”

Chelsea’s other defensive recruit near the end of the transfer window, the left-back Marcos Alonso, is expected to play his first game for the club in Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie at Leicester City.

“Alonso, also, is a good player and I’m pleased,” Conte said. “During the training sessions I saw good things.”

– Guardian service