Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has spoken out about his former boss and ‘enemy’ Jose Mourinho.
As the man who brought the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge – snubbing former club Arsenal – it’s fair to say Mourinho and Fabregas have had an up-down relationship.
Fabregas was a younger talent in the Arsenal team that finished second during Mourinho’s first Premier League triumph with the Blues in 2005, and then fourth the following season.
The 30-year-old would go on to watch the Portuguese manager win five domestic trophies in English football, before rekindling his rivalry with Mourinho in La Liga.
‘He was my enemy when he was in charge at Madrid or Chelsea, competing and wanting to beat him,’ Fabregas told Vanity Fair magazine.
‘From there I became his player at Chelsea and would go with him to the death.
‘I learned a lot, I have a very positive memory of him. Forever.’
After a six-year spell without a major trophy at Arsenal, Fabregas made his dream return to the Nou Camp and to Barcelona where he would reignite his rivalry with then Real Madrid manager Mourinho.
During a three-season spell in Spain, Fabregas played in El Classico 13 times, winning six with three draws and four defeats.
But while Fabregas got the better of his former boss in Spain, it was under Mourinho that he could finally taste Premier League success when he returned to win the title for the first time in 2015, and again last season.
Competition to get into Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side is intense though, but Fabregas insisted he is committed to the Blues.
‘I have found absolute happiness at Chelsea,’ Fabregas added.
‘The family is delighted, totally adapted to life in London and the fans love me.
‘I am too happy to change clubs, I just miss my family and my friends in Barcelona.’
