Cesc Fabregas won two Premier League titles with Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Cesc Fabregas has lifted the lid on his controversial move to Chelsea in 2014, revealing how a conversation with Jose Mourinho convinced him to turn down interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.
Fabregas burst onto the scene as an immensely gifted 16-year-old at Arsenal midway through the 2003/04 season and went on to make over 300 appearances for the Gunners, captaining the club for three years before joining Barcelona.
The midfielder had risen through Barca’s La Masia academy ranks with the likes of Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique as a youngster and there was a general feeling of acceptance among Arsenal supporters over the move.
However, Fabregas’ return to England to sign for Arsenal’s bitter rivals, Chelsea, proved hugely divisive and the Spaniard was booed on his return to the Emirates in 2015.
The Premier League title eluded Fabregas during his time at Arsenal but he would go on to lift the trophy twice during his four-and-a-half year spell at Stamford Bridge.
He also won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League with the Blues before departing for Ligue 1 outfit Monaco.
Speaking candidly on The Rest Is Football podcast, Fabregas insisted he had no regrets about joining Chelsea over the likes of United and City.
Mourinho convinced Fabregas to choose Chelsea over United and City (Picture: Getty)
‘I just felt it was time to move on [from Barcelona] and maybe be more important somewhere else,’ the 2010 World Cup winner told host Gary Lineker.
‘We had that week between the season and the World Cup. I went to London, rested and thought a little bit about what I wanted to do.
‘I had made my decision already, I wanted to leave.
The Spaniard had ‘doubts’ about joining Chelsea due to his history with Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
‘I called them and told them my decision. Before going to the World Cup, I sat down the same day with the three clubs: Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. It was at the house of my agent, Darren Dein.
‘I spoke to [then United manager] David Moyes on the phone, then after I met [Manchester City director] Txiki Begiristain and straight after I met [then Chelsea boss] Jose Mourinho.
‘By talking, analysing, you also get perceptions about who is who and what they want from you.’
Fabregas is now the manager of Serie A club Como (Picture: Getty)
Despite having initial ‘doubts’ about joining Chelsea, Fabregas was won over by Mourinho, who made him feel like they were the only club in the frame.
‘He convinced me, he brought me to Chelsea. I had doubts due to my time at Arsenal, could I be the same player and be happy again?’ he added.
‘He made me feel there was no other way. It was Chelsea or Chelsea.
‘Manchester City had a great project and were doing amazing things. Even with [David] Silva I had a great connection.’
Fabregas retired in 2023 to bring an end to an illustrious 20-year career (Picture: Getty)
Asked if had concerns about joining Chelsea due to his previous ties with Arsenal, Fabregas replied: ‘Of course.
‘I know now it means nothing, but Arsenal will always be one of the best things that happened in my life and my career. If I wasn’t a player with Arsenal then none of this would have happened.
‘I was 27. If I was 32 then I wouldn’t think about it. But at 27 you are still at the peak of your career.
‘I felt strong and motivated to take on another challenge in my career. That is what Jose made me realise I could be at Chelsea.
‘Fortunately I was right, in my five years there we won everything except the Champions League. It was the right call definitely.’
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