Cesc Fabregas: Jose Mourinho’s visit convinced me to join Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas has revealed how a personal visit from Jose Mourinho helped to convince him to join Chelsea this summer.

The former Arsenal captain was unsure as to whether he should sign for another London club after Barcelona put him up for sale at the end of last season.

But after Mourinho paid a flying visit to Barcelona, the 27-year-old midfielder said it became an easy decision.

“When I knew Chelsea wanted to buy me, I studied the situation well and talked things over with my family,” Fabregas is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“But then I spoke to the boss, on the day Jose came to see me. I remember it was a Sunday afternoon, and he flew out, missing his son’s final game of the season.

“For him to do that was to make a great effort, to tell me how much he wanted me to sign for Chelsea. That gave me a real lift.”

Mourinho himself said that it didn’t take long to convince the playmaker that a move to Stamford Bridge was the right option.

“I spoke with him 20 minutes. I think he really wanted to come to us,” Mourinho said.

“As you know, Arsenal had an option to interfere. But I think he was not open for that, I think he was very much in our direction so it was an easy job for me.”