Antonio Conte has told Cesc Fabregas he wants him to stay at Chelsea and promised the midfielder he will play more regularly next season.

There has been uncertainty for months over Fabregas’ Stamford Bridge future and the club have signed Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko for £40million to play alongside N’Golo Kante.

However, Standard Sport understands that Conte has held a meeting with the Spain international to reassure him of his role in the side.

It is believed the Chelsea boss admitted to the 30-year-old that he should have played more during their title winning campaign last term.

Following the 3-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal in September, Fabregas did not play in the top flight for more than two months. He started just 18 games — making 37 appearances in all — the majority of which were in the second half of the campaign.

Despite his lack of minutes, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star still managed seven goals and 13 assists in all competitions.

​Fabregas admitted on more than one occasion last season he was upset about being sidelined, sparking speculation that he was looking to leave. AC Milan tried to take him to the San Siro, but Standard Sport revealed in May that the former Gunners skipper was settled in the capital and was not interested in a move to Serie A.

Chelsea are already in danger of having a shortage of midfielders, having sold Nathaniel Chalobah to Watford for £5.5m, while Nemanja Matic is also set to leave, with Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester United all keen.

Fabregas started Chelsea’s first pre-season friendly next to Kante on Saturday and impressed in their 8-2 victory over Fulham, which was played at the club’s training ground.

With Chelsea back in the Champions League next season, Conte sees Fabregas as a key member of his squad.