Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said that although his recent departure from Barcelona in 2014 was inevitable, he almost joined rivals Real Madrid.
The midfielder revealed he came close to joining Madrid during his eight years at Arsenal but a ‘decisive step’ was missing to complete the move. He said: “There were contacts over several years and with different presidents. No deal was ever closed.
There were talks, but no final agreement. The decisive step was missing.” Fabregas, a Barcelona youth team product also revealed he misses his former club.
He said: “Clearly, I miss Barcelona. I spent much of my life there, I even went back to play for three years, but London is a city that has treated me very well.”
“Did Barca treat me well? It depends how you look at it, but I think so, yes. In the end it was no longer good, most of the fans weren’t happy. “I noticed it and had to step aside. The club went on their path and I went on another.”
He said: “It was a very good year [last season]. It was excellent, with the exception of the Champions League. We didn’t lose a game in the competition [but went out] and … we won the Premier League and the League Cup.
“This campaign is much harder. We’re doing things better, but we’re not having any luck. We have to start winning immediately.
“I get on well with Jose Mourinho, very well. We have to be strong and united with the coach and the fans. We can only move forward that way. No one else will help us.” Fabregas is on international duty with Spain. He assisted Spain’s first goal against England in a 2 – 0 win over the three lions.
