Chelsea Transfer News: Cesc Fabregas, Juan Cuadrado and Latest Rumours

Cesc Fabregas’ Chelsea future is reportedly in doubt under the management of Antonio Conte, while Juventus are said to be keen on bringing Juan Cuadrado back to the club. 

According to the Times' Matt Hughes (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star), Fabregas’ spot in the first team will not be guaranteed, with the Italian said to be keen on utilising high-energy central midfielders in a 4-4-2 system. Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante and AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan have been targeted.

It means that Fabregas, despite featuring in all but one of Chelsea’s games in the 2015-16 Premier League campaign, is far from indispensable at the club.

The 29-year-old has played in west London for two years, shining in his debut term and helping Chelsea to Premier League glory. These numbers from Squawka Football show what a creative force he’s been during his time with the Blues:

His qualities are obvious. Fabregas is a wonderful manipulator of the ball, able to spray passes from a withdrawn position, dictate the tempo of his team’s play and prise open small gaps in packed defences. However, should Conte adopt the 4-4-2 system, it’s tough to see where he fits in.

Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho regularly used Fabregas in a No. 10 position against stronger opponents, with two holding midfielders in support. Against some less illustrious teams, the Spain international would operate deeper, although it’d lead to a defensive compromise, as the former Barcelona man is not the most switched-on in that area.

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Earlier in the year, Bleacher Report’s Garry Hayes suggested getting the best from Fabregas will be crucial to Conte succeeding in his new role:

While there’s a lot of talk about how Chelsea will set up under the Italian, the former Juventus boss has shown throughout his career that he can be versatile, so expect different game plans and systems to be deployed. Fabregas may not be tailored to one particular way of playing, but you anticipate Conte will find a regular role for him in the setup.

One player who may not play a role is Cuadrado, as Fabrizio Romano of Calciomercato.com has stated that Juventus are keen on signing him after his successful loan spell.

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“In the next days, the player’s agent, Alessandro Lucci, will be in London and will bring to the English club the Serie A champions’ new offer,” he wrote. “€2 million for the loan, plus €26 million for the transfer on a permanent basis; at the moment, Chelsea are asking for €30 million.”

It’s also noted the Colombia international wants to join Juve. Here is a look at why the Bianconeri would love to keep Cuadrado at the club:

Under Mourinho, Cuadrado never got a fair crack and was moved on in the summer of 2015 without a consistent run in the first team. Conte, you suspect, will be happy to give everyone a fresh start, and in the case of the 28-year-old, he'll be well aware of the Colombian's quality, having witnessed his talents when up against Fiorentina.

Indeed, according to ESPN FC’s David Amoyal, the Chelsea boss tried to sign the wide man during his time in Turin:

Cuadrado could be a huge asset to Conte if used in the right way. During his career, the player has shown great versatility—able to play as a right-wing-back, further forward on the flank or even in a central position off a centre-forward. For a manager who tweaks his system frequently, he’d be an ideal player to have in the squad.

However, it’s no surprise that Cuadrado reportedly prefers to stay with Juventus. He knows he can thrive in the Italian top flight and the Bianconeri will challenge for the biggest honours next season. Conte will have to convince him that the Blues, in time, can do the same.