The versatile Spanish midfielder who has been relegated to a place on the bench under Antonio Conte has reiterated his desire to stay with the blues for a long time,suggesting that he never thought of leaving the club amid reports linking him with a move away from the Bridge.

"I have never though of leaving Chelsea. Madrid? There might have been calls, there might not have, but I am not thinking of leaving," he declared to Spanish magazine Cadena.

"The rumours over whether I am going or offering myself out tire me. Let them come out every [time]... apparently I want to go to 20 different teams.
While he confessed it hurts to be on the bench he added that he will fight for a place in the team.

"It is tough being on the bench; I have never spent so much time there but,I will keep competing here. If I knew I wasn't good enough to play in this team, I would have moved away but I am very happy here. Not playing hurts but I know I am good enough for this team and I will give everything to play."

Cesc will be hoping his man of the match performance against Leicester City in midweek will improve his chances of making the XI against his former team,Arsenal,who are Chelsea's next opponents.

'I hope I can be with the team on Saturday.It is a very special game against Arsenal. I spent many years there. It is a special feeling every time I am there. I don't know if I'll play; the manager waits until right before the game."

A first League start of the season for the Spaniard will be a worthy reward for his midweek exploits.