Fabregas Says Mourinho Convinced Him To Snub Arsenal And Join Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas has revealed the decided to join Chelsea and snub a return to Arsenal was influenced by manager Jose Mourinho.

The midfielder claimed just after his signing for the Blues that he first considered a return to Arsenal – with Arsene Wenger rejecting the move having signed Mesut Ozil last summer.

"When I decided that my time at Barcelona had ended, I looked for the best option for me. Arsenal was the first option, for contractual reasons. There was a clause that gave them the right to decide," Fabregas said just after joining Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Mourinho recently claimed the Spaniard always had his sights set on a move to west London and never consider a return to Arsenal.

"I spoke with him for 20 minutes. I think he really wanted to come to us. As you know, Arsenal had an option where they could interfere, but I think he was not open to that, I think he was very, very much in our direction, so it was an easy job for me."

And now Fabregas has tried to clarify the debate, claiming that he eventually considered other offers but a conversation with Mourinho convince him to move to Stamford Bridge.

"It was very important for me that the deal was done before the World Cup. I wanted my head free and to know what I was going to do next season and where I was going to be. I thought I was at the right age and I believed I wanted a change. I looked at all the offers I had and after speaking to the coach, I thought Chelsea was the best decision," he was quoted by Sky Sports.

"Jose's teams are always difficult to beat and always difficult to play against. Tactically they are very well-composed and they have discipline. He gets the best out of his players."

Meanwhile, the 27-year old midfielder has heaped praise his new teammate Diego Costa, claiming he will succeed Chelsea.

"Diego has been progressing immensely in the last couple of years. He is a real threat in every single game. Last season he was playing every three days and he was consistently giving really strong performances", he added.

"He goes behind the defence and he makes the kind of runs players like me really like because it gives you an option to play the killer ball. I think he will do superbly here."