Cesc Fabregas is keen to start for Chelsea in their weekend fixture against Arsenal, labelling his former club as “a very special place”.
The central midfielder began his senior career with the Gunners, after moving from the famed academy of boyhood team Barcelona.
After progressing through the Arsenal ranks at an incredible rate, securing a spot in the starting XI as a teenager and going on to become captain, Fabregas departed for Barcelona in 2011.
His homecoming did not work out as planned, however, with manager Pep Guardiola – Fabregas’ idol – leaving a year later.
Now at Chelsea, Fabregas has largely been excluded from the line-up of new coach Antonio Conte, but staked his claim for a place on Wednesday.
Indeed, the Spain international struck twice in extra-time to seal a 4-2 win over Leicester City in the EFL Cup, while assisting another of the Blues’ goals.
As such, many Chelsea fans have called for Fabregas to be selected for the short trip to the north of the capital on Saturday.
On that subject, the 29-year-old said (via the London Evening Standard): “I lived moments there that I have probably not lived elsewhere in my career.
“It was a very special place for me and that’s it. No matter what I hear, what they say to me, Arsenal will always be a fantastic special place in my heart.
“They gave me everything. I will repeat it until I die. No matter what, they are always in my heart.
“It’s too early to know whether I will start or not. Hopefully, I will. I want to play every single minute, this is what I work for. But the coach chooses the 11 he feels is best suited to win the game.”
COMMENTS