Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho maintains it took him only 20 minutes to convince Cesc Fabregas to sign from Barcelona — and reckons the former Arsenal captain never wanted to move back to his old club
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
London: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho maintains it took him only 20 minutes to convince Cesc Fabregas to sign from Barcelona — and reckons the former Arsenal captain never wanted to move back to his old club.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
The Blues have been quick to bolster their squad this summer, bringing in Fabregas before the World Cup, and have since added fellow Spaniard Diego Costa and also defender Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid as well as promising 19-year-old midfielder Mario Pasalic from Hajduk Split.
Arsenal had first option to bring Fabregas back to the club he left in 2007, which manager Arsene Wenger passed up as he pursued other targets.
Mourinho, though, feels Stamford Bridge was always the midfielder's preferred destination. "I spoke with him 20 minutes. I think he really wanted to come to us," said Mourinho.
"As you know, Arsenal had an option where they could interfere, but I think he was not open to that, I think he was very, very much in our direction, so it was an easy job for me."
Chelsea have been linked with several other big names this summer, including German World Cup winner Sami Khedira — also a reported target for Arsenal — and Monaco forward Radamel Falcao, who did not play for Colombia in Brazil because of injury.
Mourinho, though, indicated the Blues' chequebook was closed.
"I have to say my club did a fantastic job, and not just because of what we bought, but because we did it in almost record time. The transfer market closes 31 August and we close our market on July 19. We finished the market today," he said.
"The club did fantastic, we knew the targets, we knew the players and the club attacked them and their clubs at a very early stage. We got exactly what we need and what we want. The squad is one which I like very much and I look forward to starting the season."
Mourinho added: "I dont think so (sign any more players)."
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