Cesc Fabregas has admitted that he is so concerned about Chelsea's lacklustre start to the season that it keeps him up at night.

The Premier League champions are 16th in the table after losing seven of their first 12 games to sit 15 points behind co-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal already.

The 28-year-old, who has seen his own form questioned in recent weeks, concedes that such an underwhelming title defence thus far does take its toll on him.

"It keeps me awake at night when things don't go right. Football is my life. It is ­everything to me," the Spaniard is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"My family keep me happy sometimes but when football doesn't go well, my life isn't happy. I try to fix it and try to put it right. We are used to always being at the top. Sometimes when I'm at home, in bed, I wonder.

"You have your own thoughts and the manager will have his thoughts about what is going on and it is all about talking about things and putting this right all together. It's been really difficult. It's not the best time at the club and we want to lift ourselves up and to start playing better."

Jose Mourinho's side host Norwich City next Saturday.