The new Chelsea signing discussed the possibility of rejoining the Gunners from Barcelona this summer but says that the Frenchman felt that he already had players in his position
New Chelsea signing Cesc Fabregas says that Arsenal opted against exercising their first option on signing him as they already had enough players in his position.
The former Gunners captain rejoined Barcelona in 2011 but was never able to nail down a key role in the Blaugrana‘s first team and signed a contract with the Blues on Thursday.
Arsenal retained first refusal on Fabregas as part of his transfer to Camp Nou but, after talks with Arsene Wenger, the Spain international says that the likes of Mesut Ozil got in the way of a homecoming.
“Arsenal was my first option for the contract clause [but] we talked with Wenger and my position was filled in his team,” he told the press.
“I had very good offers from other teams. I wanted to come back to Premier League, obviously, then I talked with Jose Mourinho and he said what I wanted to hear, he convinced me and nothing else. I’m very happy with this.”
Fabregas came on as a substitute as Spain were beaten 5-1 in the first game of their World Cup defence against Netherlands on Friday and is determined to improve in order to get out of their group.
“We are a national team and we know how we need to play,” the midfielder declared. “We can win in different ways. I’m not saying we should change the players but we have to be stronger in attack.
“This team can do it; I don’t see why we couldn’t have a great match against Chile and teach them a footballing lesson.”