Cesc Fabregas to stay at Chelsea: Spain World Cup winner says he will ‘one hundred per cent’ remain at the club next season
Blues midfielder Fabregas puts to bed speculation about his future
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CESC FABREGAS has committed his future to Chelsea.
The World Cup-winning midfielder has told he will "one hundred per cent" be staying at the club next season.
In August, Fabregas was believed to be on his way out after struggling to fit into Antonio Conte's system.
But the Spaniard claims the situation has changed dramatically in the past six months.
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When asked if he would remain at Chelsea, he said: "One hundred per cent.
"I am not thinking about anything else than challenging myself here. The situation from six months ago to now has changed massively.
"From the beginning it has been a big challenge and there are always rumours, you cannot stop that, but I don't even care what people say.
"Not for one second did I want to leave.
"Sometimes it's so easy, you don't play two games, you get frustrated and upset and want to move somewhere else, but for me it's the opposite; I want to challenge myself.
"I know in my brain what I can do and if I am better than others or not.
"I know what I can bring to this team and by improving and listening to the manager and what he wants and doesn't want, I know myself what I can give."
Conte has adopted a 'carrot and stick' approach with Fabregas, comparing him to Italy legend Andrea Pirlo but also not being afraid to drop him.
And Fabregas says that being out of the starting eleven makes him even more determined to prove himself to the former Juventus boss.
He commented: "I have been proving myself every time I have had a chance and I will not stop until I play every game which is what I want.
"It's been shown in many games this year, even when I have come on for five minutes, I have done something to make a change in the team.
"The most important thing is when you have the chance you take it and I think I have done that throughout the season.
"It's a challenge to be ready every time the coach needs you and then change his mind and trust you more and make it into the team.
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"You always have to compete against players. Sometimes you are on the pitch and have to compete with players so they don't overtake you.
"This season it has been the other way around, I have had to compete more in training or in the little minutes I had to prove myself to try to be in the starting XI.
"Now I am playing much more than at the start of the season and hopefully I am changing the manager's mind a little bit and can get many more starts."