Fabregas: ‘Football is constantly evolving, must go for victory with Napoli’

“This is a big game against a team that is very, very strong.”

Fabregas played under Conte at Chelsea for two years, and therefore knows his tactics very well.

Having tried to reshuffle his system a few times in recent weeks with three or four at the back, has he prepared anything special for facing Napoli?

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte (L) greets player Cesc Fabregas (R) at the end of the English Premier League soccer match Chelsea vs Swansea at Stamford Bridge, London, Britain, 25 February 2017. EPA/WILL OLIVER EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

“It’s just about going for the victory, so we need to press high, have the right mentality. Losing or drawing is the same thing at this stage of the season, so we must go for the victory and to score goals.”

Nico Paz, Mergim Vojvoda and Sergi Roberto have shaken off knocks, so the only remaining absentee for the hosts is long-term injury case Jayden Addai.

The Argentina international had been taken to hospital for checks after the 2-0 win away to Genoa, as he was having trouble with his vision following a clash of heads.

“I am very happy with Nico Paz, he has always scored lots of goals, but the improvement was in his interpretation, his movement. He has a big margin for further improvement, but has done better in his posture, gathering the ball and turning when pressed.

“He already scored I think 15 goals in all competition this season, so that’s a good tally and hopefully he can add more in the last few games.”

COMO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Conte said in his pre-match interview that Fabregas is a fine coach because he is always ‘studying’ the game, and this is something the Spaniard acknowledges.

“I used to study as a player, so I try to do it as a coach, because I see no other way. I don’t create my own ideas, I go around seeing other methods, the way others train and work, then I try to adapt those ideas to our football,” replied Fabregas.

“Studying football is essential, because what works today probably won’t work in two weeks. I was looking at some pressing movements we did in Serie B just two years ago, I wouldn’t do that now. Football is constantly evolving and you need to keep up with it.”