AS Monaco midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he had to part ways with Chelsea during the winter transfer window, given Maurizio Sarri had a keen preference in playing Jorginho ahead of him at the heart of the midfield. The Spain international barely featured under the Italian tactician during the first half of the season, and he eventually decided to join AS Monaco on a permanent basis at the turn of the year.

In an interview with Football365, Fabregas disclosed that he had the opportunity to stay put with the west London giants, but that would not have necessarily enhanced his gametime with Sarri deciding to stick with Jorginho ahead of him for the league duties, he said: “I like to always have new objectives in my mind. I could have stayed in London but a coach arrived who brought along a player who was like a son to him. Even If I played better, it was impossible to find space. I love football and I couldn’t have been happy just because I was at Chelsea. This is why I picked a project that will give me a lot of emotions”

“Jorginho was pursued from Napoli at the same point of time when Sarri was announced as the head coach last summer“. Since then, he has assured the midfielder with a regular starting role despite the occasional criticism from the supporters, and it appears that would remain the case so long as the Italian remains at “the helm of things“.

Meanwhile, Fabregas has helped Monaco move away from the relegation zone in Ligue 1, but the same has come at a cost. The Spaniard had joined the Principality outfit with a view to playing under former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry, but the Frenchman was unfortunately sacked within a fortnight of their reunion. Monaco have since re-signed Leonardo Jardim for the managerial role.