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Cesc Fabregas has started ten of the Blues’ 12 Premier League matches this season. The 30-year-old has been the creative linchpin for Antonio Conte’s side in the middle of the park, but was on the bench for the game against Liverpool.

Conte opted to start with a midfield trio of N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayako.

Conte confirmed before the game that he was merely rotating his players due to fatigue.

He told BT Sport: “I think it’s a normal rotation, we need to have rotation.

“Fabregas has played every game this season, and I think it’s right this choice I hope.”