Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas was heavily linked with a move to Italian giants AC Milan in the last couple of months. The Spain international has fallen out of favour with new Chelsea boss and has featured just four times in the Premier League this term.

On the other hand, Milan were reportedly considering to sign the midfielder to provide the much-needed leadership in the midfield. The speculations increased when Riccardo Montolivo suffered a cruciate ligament injury while on Italy duty and will remain on the sidelines for around six months.

But AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella has quashed all the rumours saying that the Chelsea midfielder lacks the characteristics to replace the Italy international.

“We need a player with Montolivo’s characteristics, someone who knows how to play in a midfield of two. Fabregas does not have these characteristics,” Montella told Corriere della Sera.

“I think Montolivo is nearly irreplaceable. He is important both on the pitch and in the dressing room. It’s an even bigger loss than people think.”

Montella instead backed promising youngster Manuel Locatelli to replace Montolivo in the midfield.

“I have faith in Locatelli. He has come on on decisive moments in our past few games,” Montella said.

“But we have to remember that he has only played a few games in Serie A. I would like to bring him slowly.”

Meanwhile, the recent claims by the Milan boss has added another twist to Fabregas’ condition at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder, who played an important part in Chelsea’s successful Premier League campaign in 2014-15 season has been getting very limited chances under Conte. The midfielder was recently linked in a swap deal to bring Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci at Stamford Bridge but Conte has made it trickier for Fabregas as according to reports, he is not willing to sell the Spanish player and instead wanted to include Eden Hazard in the deal.