Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas eager to show Vicente del Bosque he deserves Spain starting spot

Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas says he is working hard to show Spain manager Vicente del Bosque he deserves a starting place in his line-up after being an unused substitute during the 1-0 victory over Ukraine on 27 March.

After playing a small part in the 2014 World Cup, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star was expected to lead Spain's midfield following national team retirements by Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez and Bayern Munich's Xabi Alonso.

But after Fabregas missed the two previous national team games against Belarus and Germany in November 2014 due to injury, Del Bosque opted to put Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Isco and Koke in the midfield for their crucial Euro qualifier against Ukraine.

Asked during an interview with Marca whether he was disappointed to not have played a single minute during the game, he said: "A player always want to play. When the coach gives the line-up, I always believe that I can be there. When I'm not, I think that I can still go in and when that doesn't happen, I just want the next training session to arrive to prove that I can be in the starting line-up."

Questioned why he has lost the place in the line up, Fabregas said: "I do not think I've lost my place in the team because I've never been a guaranteed starter.

"The important thing is to add [something to the team] and if I don't play I am sure other player from the team will do well. I have no doubts about that. I always back my teammates. Every player likes to have continuity and I am no different but if the manager decides to not use you, it's because there are better players than you. In any case, the team is above everything."

Meanwhile, Fabregas has once again expressed his happiness in making the decision to leave Barcelona in summer 2014 to return to the Premier League after Chelsea agreed to pay £26m ($38m) to secure his services.

He said: "I am very happy. I'm going through a time in my life where I enjoy everything I do. I'm playing almost every minute and that's what makes me happy. Having the chance to be important is crucial. Now we have to fight hard to win the Premier League to have a great year."

When asked about the disappointment of Chelsea being eliminated from the Champions League, Fabregas said: "Of course we are hurt. Against 10 men everyone expected you to win but sometimes things do not go as you want. Now we still have an opportunity to win a double so we can't relax for a moment."