Tiemoue Bakayoko faces battle with Cesc Fabregas for Chelsea starting spot

Cesc Fabregas is ready to battle new £40m signing Tiemoue Bakayoko for a place in the Chelsea team.

Bakayoko is still recovering from a knee injury and is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season. However, he has been signed by coach Antonio Conte to play alongside N'Golo Kante.

Standard Sport understands Conte has reassured Fabregas he will play more regularly than last term anyway.

But the 30-year-old midfielder is ready for the challenge Bakayoko will provide and said: “I have been competing for 15 seasons. That will not put me down after what happened last season and how I stood up to it. I’m ready for anybody.

"I feel great. I understand the philosophy of the manager very, very well. I know what he wants from me. I know what I need to give to the team. I just try to keep improving for as long as I can.”