Matic return leaves Conte with Fabregas dilemma

The Italian manager has not decided whether to
retain the midfielder in his starting line-up now
that he has Nemanja Matic available to play
Chelsea will have Nemanja Matic available to face
West Brom on Sunday, leaving Antonio Conte with
a "difficult decision" over whether to keep Cesc
Fabregas in his team.
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Matic missed the 3-1 win at Manchester City last
time out with a muscular injury, with Fabregas
impressing when he stepped into the side for only
his second league start of the season.
Conte has reiterated he wants the former Arsenal
and Barcelona midfielder to stay in the January
transfer window, but faces a dilemma over
whether to keep him in the team for the Premier
League clash with West Brom at Stamford Bridge.
"Matic is now fit," Conte said at his pre-match
media conference.
"He trained with us from Tuesday and I also have
Saturday to evaluate the physical and mental
situation of every single player and then to decide
for the line-up on Sunday.
"About Cesc, I have already replied in the
previous press conference. Cesc is a good player,
an important player in my squad. I want him to
stay here.
"I hope to have these difficult [selection] decisions
in every game. It means that I have great
competition and this means the level in our squad
is improving and raising.
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"I think Cesc played a good game against City and
took the opportunity from the first minute. He
played very well.
"Now for the next game I have a choice of four
midfielders: Matic, [N'Golo] Kante, Fabregas and
[Nathaniel] Chalobah.
"We have to take the best decision for the team. If
there is great competition this is very important.
"If I haven't got a problem to take the decision and
always put the same line-up it is not good."
The only players set to miss out for Chelsea
against Tony Pulis' side are John Terry and
Oscar.
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Conte added: "We have John recovering from his
injury - he is not back for this game. Oscar is
sick.
"The other players we can recover, it's important
to see on Saturday that they are all able to play
and then I'll decide the starting XI."