Monaco midfielder Cesc Fabregas opens up on Chelsea exit

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 13 April 2019

Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas suggests that Maurizio Sarri's favouritism towards Jorginho was a big part of the reason why he left Stamford Bridge.

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he was offered a new contract by Chelsea, but he turned it down as he knew he could not dislodge Jorginho from the starting lineup.

The Spanish midfielder swapped Stamford Bridge for Monaco in the January window, ending his four-and-a-half-year stint in West London.

Fabregas started just one Premier League game under Maurizio Sarri, a 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in early December, with Jorginho instead being preferred in the holding midfield position.

Speaking at a Monaco press conference on Friday, the 31-year-old suggested that Jorginho's summer arrival was part of the reason why he called it quits at Chelsea.

"I was at Chelsea and I could have renewed my contract to stay there," he said. "A new coach came and he came with a player that, for him, was like his son.

"For me it was difficult to play every single game - this is what I want to do. I love football. When I played for Chelsea, I'm happy [but] it was impossible to play every match - for whatever reason it was."

Fabregas has featured 12 times for Monaco since joining three months ago, helping the club to climb out of the relegation zone.