Fabregas tips Conte to get Chelsea challenging again

Cesc Fabregas ^[1] hopes Chelsea ^[2] can challenge for the Premier League title under Antonio Conte next season.

A disastrous 2015-16 has seen the Blues surrender their domestic crown without a fight, while they are also preparing for life outside of European competition next season for the first time since the 2002/03 campaign.

After replacing Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December, Guus Hiddink has been unable to lead the club into the European qualification spots, with Chelsea currently ninth with four games to go.

But ahead of Conte's arrival in the summer after leading Italy at Euro 2016, Fabregas says he wants Chelsea to make up for the likely absence from Europe by winning the league in the Italian's maiden campaign in England.

"It is a disappointing season," Spanish midfielder Fabregas told sport1.de. "It will be the first time in years I won't play Champions League. We must come back stronger. I hope that we can compete for the title in England next year. In Antonio Conte there will be a new manager. He has proven that he can work successfully, especially at Juventus he had a strong time.

"We want to attack. Liverpool can achieve something with [Jurgen] Klopp, and Manchester City will get a strong manager in Pep Guardiola," he added, referring to his former Barcelona coach, who will leave Bayern Munich for the Eithad Stadium at the end of the season.

Chelsea's next match is at home to second-placed Tottenham on Monday, by which time - should Leicester City beat Manchester United at Old Trafford a day earlier - the destination of the title will be decided in the Foxes' favor.

Leicester will receive a guard of honor from Chelsea on the last day of the season if Claudio Ranieri's men do manage to win the league.