Former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas played under the Portuguese for one and a half seasons at Stamford Bridge. He made his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger and went on to become one of the great attacking midfielders in those years. In 2010, he left England to join his boyhood club FC Barcelona where he played under Pep Guardiola before moving back to England in the summer of 2014.
He won the Premier League and also the Carabao Cup for the Blues under Mourinho’s management in a terrific season for Chelsea in 204-15. The Spaniard was one of the key signings for Mourinho in his second spell in charge at the London club and was a big factor for Chelsea’s success that year.
What Cesc Fabregas Said About Jose Mourinho?
Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast, Fabregas said, “I played under some of the best managers – not just in recent times but in history. Fabregas told If I have to pick one or two: Pep Guardiola played the game in the style I love at Barcelona, same with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but under Jose Mourinho, at Chelsea, I had a really special year. He is probably the one I had the best connection with. The way he played with my mind was unbelievable.”
“Pep Guardiola. We used to play in the same position. In the Barcelona academy, you would wear numbers depending on the position. The number four was the player in front of the defender. Guardiola was playing there and I was number four.”
Not only Fabregas but the current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also admires the legendary Portuguese manager who is the current head coach of Arsenal’s rival Tottenham. Both the clubs had one of their worst seasons this term and are way below of Champions League qualifying zone.
Mourinho’s Spurs are sitting on the 10th while Arsenal was occupying the eighth position with five matches to go (back then). Both the club will meet this weekend in a North London derby in the Premier League. Speaking ahead of the tie Arteta says that he has huge respect for the Portuguese.
“Absolutely [he is still a world-class manager]. They have had some ups and downs, but overall you can clearly see what he wants to bring to the club. He manages the energy, the momentum, and established a really strong culture in a strong football club that does it.”
“I have huge respect for Jose and what he is trying to do. He makes sure that he wins and he has won at every single club he has been.”
What Mikel Arteta Said About Jose Mourinho?
Arteta was an Everton player when Spurs last won a trophy. In 2008, Tottenham won the League cup which is still the last silverware at the North London club.
“I am sure he will be successful. It will take him a bit of time. He has a very clear way of playing and how he manages games. Clean sheets are a big part of what he wants to do.”
“They have had a lot of injuries, that is a big disadvantage that they have. I know that he has done it [before]. Know people who have worked with him, he always finds a way to be successful. I am sure he will do it again.”
