Chelsea legend Pat Nevin believes that a demanding pre-season under new manager Antonio Conte has helped the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard achieve top fitness levels before the new season.

Nevin is confident that Conte will have an extremely fit squad at his disposal in the new season with Fabregas and Hazard joined by Oscar and Diego Costa in those showing the greatest benefits of being supremely fit.

He writes in his blog for Chelsea's official website: "A prime example is Cesc Fabregas who looks in as good physical shape as I have seen him in any point during his Chelsea career. Eden and Oscar have looked sharp and lively in the games so far and have been popping on the goals to boot.

"Diego Costa similarly has looked stronger, leaner and fitter during this pre-season than he did last time around.

"Clearly Antonio Conte is a hard task master and having witnessed last season's slump, he clearly wants to ensure that physical fitness at least isn't our downfall this time."