CESC FABREGAS is stuck in limbo at Chelsea after being snubbed by a series of Europe’s big guns.
By Paul Brown
Fabregas did not make it off the bench in Monday night’s 2-1 win over West Ham and fears for his future under new boss Antonio Conte.
But despite being offered to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain and Juventus, there are currently no takers for him.
Conte insisted he was happy with the midfielder’s attitude and behaviour shortly after the win over the Hammers.
But he stopped short of saying Fabregas, 29, was part of his long-term thinking and it is understoodChelsea are open to offers.
Conte said: “When a coach takes a decision there is always a reason but I prefer to keep it for me. But I don’t see any problem and I’m very happy to have these players.
“Cesc is Chelsea’s player and I’m happy with his attitude and behaviour during the training sessions. When you are a great team like Chelsea it can happen.”
AC Milan and their city rivals Inter are interested in Fabregas but it remains to be seen whether a move to either club appeals to him.
Conte favours a high-tempo style of play not suited to the Spain star, whose days at Stamford Bridge could now be numbered.
But defender Gary Cahill reckons there will not be a fitter team in the Premier League this season as a result of the Italian’s methods.
Chelsea started last season miles off the pace after a poor pre-season and never recovered.
LAST LEGS: Fabregas might not be a Chelsea player much longer
But Cahill insists this is the fittest they have been for years. He said: “Pre-season is always hard. But this was one of the hardest I have experienced in the last few years - definitely in terms of fitness.
“We did a lot of running and intensive endurance work. But I feel it has been only good for the body and got us in the condition you have to be in to play in the Premier League, especially now it is getting more and more physically and demanding.
“It’s about working hard. We know what to expect and what’s expected of each individual player.
“Last season was way short of the mark and everybody knows that, so we know what we have to do.”
Chelsea have slipped under the radar as title challengers with all the attention focused on the big-spending Manchester clubs.
But Cahill said: “You only have to look at all the things that happened last season to know it’s irrelevant what anyone is saying about any team or manager right now and who is going to win the league.
“It is not something we are bothered about. We will let everybody else do all the talking and just concentrate on ourselves.”
AC Milan target Juan Cuadrado’s Chelsea future is also in doubt after he failed to make the squad for Monday night’s game.
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