Cesc Fabregas says he is settling in to Antonio Conte's Chelsea system

Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes he is now settling into Antonio Conte's Blues system after a difficult start.

Spain international Fabregas had been thought to be surplus to requirements at the club with Conte preferring to partner defensively-minded pair Nemanja Matic and N'Golo Kante in his engine room.

Antonio Conte has guided the Blues to the top of the Premier League

Fabregas has started two of the past three fixtures in recent weeks, however, scoring the winner last time out against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.

"People forget it's only the second time in my life, in my whole career, I've played this system," Fabregas told the club's website.

"My team-mates have played a lot more than me. Against Manchester City [in early December], it was a big test because it was the first game. I'm getting used to it, I feel very comfortable.

The goal against Sunderland was Cesc Fabregas' first of the season

"I have a lot of players in front of me so I can pick passes between the lines, they run into space and I have protection behind me. I'm really enjoying it and I think it suits me a lot."

The 29-year-old's goal in midweek clinched Chelsea's 10th consecutive Premier League victory and coupled with recent slip-ups by rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, the Blues have a six-point lead at the top.

"People say I cannot defend but I recovered the ball, went forward and scored [against Sunderland]," Fabregas added.

Fabregas feels he has now got to grips with Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 system

"I know what I can do but the problem is I haven't had minutes, and if you don't play you can't show what you can do.

"In football nowadays, people forget very quickly who you are, what you've done and what you can do. Hopefully now I can have a run of games to keep my fitness up and show what I can do.

"We can compete. I've seen many times teams winning titles -- Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea -- where these 1-0 victories are so important. Hopefully we can keep it up."

Fabregas and Chelsea next face Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in Saturday's early kick-off.

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