Cesc Fabregas is a "great" player and is working hard to become more like N'Golo Kante, according to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
Fabregas returned from a one-match suspension for his red card against Burnley to start Chelsea's home game against Everton on Sunday.
The move by Conte to start the Spaniard over Tiemoue Bakayoko, who impressed in midfield in the 2-1 win over Tottenham last week, paid off as Fabregas went on to score the opening goal in the 27th minute.
Fabregas is competing with Bakayoko for a starting spot in Chelsea's midfield this term, but Conte revealed how hard the 30-year-old has been training to improve his defensive game.
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Everton, Conte said: "Cesc played a good game. Like Cesc, all the players performed very well.
"He scored an important goal for us. We all know his characteristics. He's a great player, good technique: when we have possession with Cesc, we can play really good football.
"Now he's trying also to improve the defensive situations to try and be more strong, to try and be a bit like N'Golo. But he has to work (on that). And N'Golo has to work to become Cesc with the ball."
