WE WILL GET EVEN BETTER
Fabregas warns Chelsea rivals
CESC FABREGAS warned Premier League rivals that Chelsea are about to get better with a summer recruitment drive and have a burning desire to win the Champions League again.
Antonio Conte’s team return to Stamford Bridge to face Watford today having secured the prize which Fabregas believes is the hardest to win in world football with victory at West Bromwich Albion on Friday.
But Conte and his players are determined not to ease up as they try to complete the Premier League and FA Cup double before their return to European competition. ‘I’m sure we will strengthen,’ said Fabregas. ‘We’ve won but that doesn’t mean the team cannot get better. We definitely feel we can do something in the Champions League. It’s a big target. Lately, you see the English teams are struggling in it because in the Premier League it is so tough.
‘Six teams can win the league easily. That’s why next season with the Champions League we will have to be at the top of our game to compete. It will be tough but we feel we can be strong next season, not just in the Premier League but in the Champions League as well.’
When Chelsea were last crowned Premier League champions, in 2015, they followed it with a dreadful title defence, finishing 10th, 31 points behind Leicester, and winning nothing.
Some players confessed they had eased up thinking it would be easier and Conte will endeavour to avoid any repeat.
The Italian manager is expected to rest some players against Watford and give them time off before Sunday’s game at home to Sunderland, after which the Premier League trophy will be presented.
It may afford club captain John Terry the chance to bid farewell to supporters before moving on. Conte, however, will not want focus to drift as he targets the Double in his first season in London.
‘He’s a winner,’ said Fabregas. ‘At the beginning we saw many changes. Maybe some of us were not used to it, but we know now exactly what he wants from us.
‘This season has prepared us well for what will happen next season. We can do better. So hopefully we will prepare well for the FA Cup final and rest well for next season.’
For Fabregas, who spent eight years at Arsenal and won the FA Cup with them in 2005, the Wembley showpiece will be a special occasion.
‘It will be emotional,’ said the 30-year-old midfielder. ‘It’s not as if I like playing against Arsenal. They are a club in my heart and always will be. I have to put those feelings aside. You have to be professional.
‘Arsenal are playing well and playing a different system. Maybe they are not performing fantastic in this system but they are defensively better. They are winning and that’s important for them. Their belief is higher.
‘But our belief is high. Hopefully we can hurt them in the way we want.’
Fabregas has no desire to leave Chelsea despite spending time on the fringes this season before forcing his way back into Conte’s plans. He has two more years on his contract and claims to be in the form of his life.
‘I feel in great shape,’ said Fabregas. ‘At the beginning it was frustrating and if you don’t get into the team then you don’t really know what will happen.
‘But through hard work and belief I made it happen. I’ve worked hard to get back into the team and I feel I’m getting the rewards.’