Will Antonio Conte Sell Cesc Fabregas?

Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Monday left them just one win from securing the Premier League title, with three games to play.

With the 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on April. 1 serving as a reminder that it pays to take nothing for granted, Blues supporters attending Monday night’s game were in expectant yet apprehensive mood as they entered Stamford Bridge.

The news that midfield dynamo N’Golo Kante — the Football Writers’ Association and PFA Player of the Year winner — had failed to recover from a muscle strain and wasn’t in the side was met with indifference. At face value, this might seem strange given the high degree of influence Kante has had but Antonio Conte had Cesc Fabregas. No panic.

Conte has used Fabregas sparingly this season. The arrival of Kante last summer and the Italian’s preference to partner him with Nemanja Matic in Chelsea’s engine room means Fabregas has found himself on the periphery. Benched for the majority of league games, cameo substitute appearances have been the name of the game with first XI starts mainly coming in domestic cup competitions. A lack of European football has also proved restrictive.

It’s strange to think that a player who would be among the first names on the teamsheet of many Premier League managers could find himself marginalised in such a way. Rumours suggested Fabregas might leave in the January transfer window, and the stories have continued with plenty suggesting he may depart at the end of the campaign.

In the midst of all this, the former Barcelona and Arsenal star has, to his eternal credit, got on with the job. When he has been given the opportunity, he has showcased his supreme talents. There will be no shortage of suitors for his services should Conte allow him to leave.

Against Boro, almost as if expected, Fabregas was superb. Chelsea had been knocking on the door for a good 20 minutes before Diego Costa finally opened the scoring and settled the home crowd’s nerves. The sense of relief was palpable. Of course it had to be Fabregas whose pass found Costa just as it had done so many times during the 2014-15 campaign when the duo combined regularly with devastating effect as Chelsea strolled to the title under Jose Mourinho.

Fabregas revelled in the midfield general role and soon had supporters singing that song about him wearing a “magic hat,” passing with his left foot, and passing with his right. Some football chants are nonsensical, but the Fabregas chant is perfect. A fitting tribute to a superb player.

The Spaniard toyed with the visitors’ backline throughout the match. Marcos Alonso doubled Chelsea’s advantage before half-time and after the break Fabregas was once more instrumental in taking the game to the opposition, creating with instinctive flair the Blues’ third goal scored by Matic.

Proof of the consistent and telling contribution that Fabregas can make to a football game can be found in statistics. An assist against Boro brought his tally to 10 for the campaign. The midfielder is the first player to register 10 assists in six different seasons in the Premier League.

Ever the consummate professional, Fabregas has simply said he likes a “challenge” when it has been pointed out to him that he is not Conte’s type of player. Equally, the Chelsea manager has continued to praise his contribution to the cause.

Chelsea are on the cusp of winning the title. With that secured, thoughts will turn to Wembley and the prospect of securing a league and cup double. Fabregas’ former club Arsenal will provide the opposition and their fans have been vocal in their disdain of their former hero when he has previously lined up against them for the Blues.

There’s no guarantee Conte will start Fabregas in the final. In the 4-2 semifinal triumph over Tottenham, the midfielder came off the bench with a little over 15 minutes left and the score at 2-2, with Spurs in the ascendancy. Shortly after, Fabregas took a corner which was poorly cleared to Eden Hazard, who scored Chelsea’s crucial third goal. Fabregas then combined with Hazard in the build-up to Matic’s wonder-strike which sealed victory.

Whatever part Fabregas plays in the final, and he surely will, there is a sense among Chelsea supporters that his contribution will be significant. A goal? An assist or two? It remains to be seen. What is clear right now is that he brings an added dimension to Chelsea which they don’t otherwise have, and Conte must try to retain his services.