Cesc Fabregas is happy seeing Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho make little improvements to his squad.

For Fabregas, it is almost a reprieve, a vote of confidence from Mourinho in his players for what they achieved last season.

"He gave us the chance because we responded well last year and he is giving us another chance," said the former Arsenal captain.

"That shows you how very, very difficult it is to do,' said Fabregas. 'But we know we have the quality, I can see in people's faces the same ambition and drive as we had last year and I know that if that wasn't the case, the manager would change it. We just have to play as well as last season and I am sure we will win things.

"We are playing against ourselves in terms of being better than last year. We don't look at the others and think we can lose to this team or that team as all of them are very good.

"I play against myself – I want to be better. Nemanja Matic, the same. Thibaut Courtois, Diego, we all want to do better and if we all do better we have a chance to retain it. But it will be difficult."