Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has assured midfielder Cesc Fabregas a prominent role next season in order to keep hold of his services beyond the summer.

The Spain international was largely a substitute for the Blues until the final stages of the campaign where he was called upon on a regular basis.

Fabregas, now 30, had been linked with a proposed move to big spenders AC Milan earlier in the year, but these rumours have diminished with the player still holding a future in west London. Tiemoue Bakayoko arrived from AS Monaco earlier last week, and this is unlikely to have any implications on Fabregas' future with Nemanja Matic the player, who could be off the Blues books.

According to The London Evening Standard, Fabregas looks set to take up the third-choice role in central midfield as he did last season, but he could be guaranteed addition playing time, considering the Blues are back in the Champions League, where Fabregas' attributes could be vital to their progress.

Fabregas endured one of his toughest spells in recent times after he made just 13 starts in the Premier League last season. The World Cup winner nevertheless made the difference coming off the substitutes' bench, and this proved handy in developing a bond with the manager, who seemed to favour his services when in need.

Despite this, the Spain international was not entirely happy starting on the bench in the FA Cup final last month where the Blues' eventually lost by a 2-1 score line to cross-city rivals Arsenal. Fabregas has managed 312 Premier League appearances during his stints with both Chelsea and Arsenal, and he looks set to extend his stay for at least another season with Conte prepared to assure him the gametime he craves for.

The midfielder has been dropped out of recent Spain squads, and he will be desperate to make amends next season in order to regain his place ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.