- “When I don’t play I’m sad and I don’t enjoy it but I’m happy the team is doing well. – Fabregas
- “Football is my life, it’s everything to me. Every time I’m on the pitch I try to do my best. – Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas admits a lack of game time at Chelsea early in the 2016-17 campaign left him “sad”.
The Spain international struggled to earn a regular spot under Antonio Conte earlier in the season but insists he will continue to fight for his place.
Fabregas was a regular at Stamford Bridge after returning to English football in the summer of 2014.
He appeared 47 times across all competitions in a debut campaign with the Blues which ended with Premier League and League Cup successes.
Another 48 outings were made last term, with Fabregas’ creativity embraced by Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink.
The World Cup winner, however, slipped out of favour after seeing Antonio Conte inherit the managerial reins.
Fabregas did impress, though, after being returned to the fold for a crucial 3-1 victory at Manchester City in early December and has been an important part of the fold since then.
He still has only five Premier League starts to his name this term, but has been used on a more frequent basis and been able to maintain his impressive return in terms of providing assists.
“I play football to win and enjoy,” Fabregas told Chelsea’s official website .
“When I don’t play I’m sad and I don’t enjoy it but I’m happy the team is doing well.
“Football is my life, it’s everything to me. Every time I’m on the pitch I try to do my best.
“In this game it went well again so I just need to keep going and show the manager I deserve to play.”
Fabregas stepped off the bench to provide the delivery for Gary Cahill to score Chelsea’s second goal against Hull City on Sunday.
He can expect to see more minutes in a local derby date with Brentford in the FA Cup this weekend, before attention turns to another huge Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
“We have an important game in the FA Cup and after that I’m sure the manager will prepare as best he can knowing Liverpool are one of the best teams in the league by far,” added Fabregas.
“We will just play our game. We’ve done well this season so why not go there and make a statement?”
