Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: Why I didn't start Cesc Fabregas against West Ham

Cesc Fabregas didn't feature for Chelsea last night

The Blues defeated West Ham 2-1 in their opening Premier League match of the season, but Fabregas failed to make the starting XI.

New boy N'Golo Kante started ahead of the Spaniard and Pedro, Victor Moses and Michy Batshuayi all got the chance to come off the bench and impress ahead of Fabregas.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in recent weeks and his representatives have reportedly contacted Real Madrid to sound out a move.

But Conte looks keen to keep hold of the talented midfielder and praised his efforts in training.

Conte said: "Cesc is Chelsea’s player and I’m happy with his attitude and behaviour.

"He must know when you are at a great team like Chelsea I have to take decisions before the game, to choose a starting 11.

"It can happen that Fabregas isn’t in the starting 11 but it can happen to all the players.

"It’s important to always see the right attitude because we must fight this season. Now, I took this decision but in the next game we don’t know, I could change or not.

"When a coach makes a decision there is always a reason but I prefer to keep it for me. But I repeat I don’t see any problem, I’m very happy to have these players and train these players."