Cesc Fabregas has explained why he chose to join Chelsea instead of one of the two Manchester clubs back in the summer of 2014.
Fabregas made his name at Arsenal before leaving to rejoin boyhood club Barcelona in 2011.
His homecoming didn't go quite as he would have hoped and he found himself wanting a new challenge just three years later.
The Spaniard was wanted by Chelsea, Man United and Man City while Arsenal declined to exercise their buy back option.
Fabregas ultimately joined the Blues for a fee in the region of £30m and he has now explained why.
Cesc Fabregas has revealed why he turned down the Manchester clubs to sign for Chelsea
Speaking to Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast, Fabregas said: ‘I just felt it was time to move on [from Barcelona] and maybe be more important somewhere else,’ the 2010 World Cup winner told host Gary Lineker.
‘We had that week between the season and the World Cup. I went to London, rested and thought a little bit about what I wanted to do.
‘I had made my decision already, I wanted to leave. I called them and told them my decision. Before going to the World Cup, I sat down the same day with the three clubs: Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. It was at the house of my agent, Darren Dein.
‘I spoke to [then United manager] David Moyes on the phone, then after I met [Manchester City director] Txiki Begiristain and straight after I met [then Chelsea boss] Jose Mourinho.
Fabregas won two Premier League titles with the Blues during his five seasons at the club
‘By talking, analysing, you also get perceptions about who is who and what they want from you.’
‘He convinced me, he brought me to Chelsea. I had doubts due to my time at Arsenal, could I be the same player and be happy again?’ he added.
‘He made me feel there was no other way. It was Chelsea or Chelsea. Manchester City had a great project and were doing amazing things. Even with [David] Silva I had a great connection.’
Fabregas admitted he did have concerns about joining the rivals of his previous club Arsenal.
‘Of course,' he said. 'I know now it means nothing, but Arsenal will always be one of the best things that happened in my life and my career. If I wasn’t a player with Arsenal then none of this would have happened.
‘I was 27. If I was 32 then I wouldn’t think about it. But at 27 you are still at the peak of your career.
‘I felt strong and motivated to take on another challenge in my career. That is what Jose made me realise I could be at Chelsea.
‘Fortunately I was right, in my five years there we won everything except the Champions League. It was the right call definitely.’
Fabregas won two Premier League titles in five seasons with Chelsea as well as the FA Cup, League Cup and the Europa League.