Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has stated the squad he has is “complete,” meaning neither Oscar nor Cesc Fabregas will be leaving Stamford Bridge in the upcoming transfer window. 

Both players have found minutes difficult to come by under the Italian in recent weeks, with the 3-4-3 system being utilised by Conte not suited to the talents of either. However, speaking with Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness) the Chelsea boss has insisted they'll be staying put regardless.

“La Rosa (an Italian term literally meaning ‘the rose’ but used to describe a squad) is complete,” he said. “Talk is premature. … I am not going to send them away. They are important players for Chelsea.”

As noted in the report, both Oscar and Fabregas have been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.

In fairness, neither player can argue about not currently being involved in the first team. Chelsea have won their last six matches in succession without conceding a goal and currently sit at the top of the Premier League table following the 1-0 triumph at Middlesbrough over the weekend.

While the tweaks made by Conte have drawn reverence for the effect they’ve had in defence and attack, in midfield the duo of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic have flourished. Jack Rathborn of uMAXit Football commented on how well the pair complement one another:

Neither Oscar nor Fabregas could offer that kind of industry, and in a system that doesn’t accommodate a natural No. 10, it’s no surprise to see neither involved from the start.

The former has the willingness to put in the dirty work. Oscar has never shirked his defensive responsibilities and is a tenacious tackler when used. However, he lacks the dynamism of Kante, the physicality of Matic and the defensive instincts both of those players possess.

John Cross of the Daily Mirror has reported that Inter Milan and Jiangsu Suning are keen on the midfielder; journalist Jack Lang thinks that he could play for an even better club:

While Oscar arguably has his best years ahead of him, the same probably can’t be said for Fabregas. Although he’s still a fine technician and a wonderful passer of the ball, the Spain international has lost the burst of speed and vibrancy out of possession that made him such a threat with Arsenal, Barcelona and the Blues.

Fabregas has been sidelined with a thigh problem as of late, which is why he’s not even featured from the bench for Chelsea in recent games. However, he’s started just one league game under Conte, failing to impress in the 3-0 loss to Arsenal which prompted the tactical rethink from the manager.

As these numbers from Squawka Football illustrate, it’s been quite a sharp fall from grace for Fabregas given how effective he’s been in the past:

Oscar will feel as though his career is reaching a critical point at Chelsea. While he’s shown flashes of talent in his time at the club, he’s never really nailed down a regular position in the side and once again finds himself on the fringes. To move up a level as a footballer, he needs to be playing regularly.

Fabregas may yet have something to offer with the Blues, especially as a potentially settling influence from the bench. However, he’s a playmaker that needs to be accommodated if used from the start and in Conte’s well-oiled Chelsea machine, that’s not a luxury the 29-year-old will be afforded.