Nemanja Matic has praised his midfield partner Cesc Fabregas, claiming that the pair have developed a good relationship in Chelsea's engine room.

The duo have been ever-presents for Jose Mourinho's side this season, and Matic believes the former Arsenal and Barcelona man to be one of the Premier League's great players.

"In every moment of the game he knows what he needs to do," the big Serbian told the club's official website.

"He's a great player; he's a player with a lot of experience having played at Arsenal and Barcelona. We have a good relationship on the pitch and it's easy to play with him.

"It's very important to play a lot of games next to somebody, because as more and more time passes you get to know them better and better. We've improved together as a pair and I think that's good for the team too because the midfield is such an important part of the pitch."

The pair are likely to start together when Chelsea visit Liverpool in the Premier League this afternoon.