Antonio Conte urged to keep Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabregas at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte should do "everything possible" to keep Cesc Fabregas at the club this summer amid rumours of a possible £25m (€29.7m) bid from Liverpool. The Spain international delivered a majestic display in his side's 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Monday (8 May) but has only started 11 Premier League games this season and has had to make do with being N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic's understudy.

Fabregas seems content with life at Stamford Bridge but could decide to move on in order to receive regular game-time during the final stages of his storied career. Celestine Babayaro, who played for Chelsea between 1997 and 2005, says Conte should do whatever it takes to ensure the World Cup winner remains in west London.

"He is an unbelievable player," Babayaro told talkSPORT. "They are talking about Fabregas going to AC Milan and here and there, but Chelsea should do everything possible to make sure he stays at Chelsea.

"You saw the way he controlled the midfield yesterday [against Middlesbrough]. He was just unbelievable – picking people out and spraying passes left, right and centre."

Babayaro, who also enjoyed spells with Newcastle United and Anderlecht, went on to praise Conte for the wondrous job he has done during his first season at Chelsea. The former Italy and Juventus boss has elevated the Blues from mid-table to the summit of the Premier League in just one year, and Babayaro believes he will "go a long way" with the table-toppers, who could secure the title with a win over West Bromwich Albion on Friday evening.

"Conte has done a great job in his first season," Babayaro added. "The way he has transformed Chelsea this season has been unbelievable. He started with a back four, went to a back three, and now everyone knows what he wants them to do. Everyone is in sync. They kill teams off... and Conte is going to go a long way in Chelsea."