Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that Cesc Fabregas wanted to move to Stamford Bridge last summer in order to win trophies.

There have been suggestions that Fabregas discussed a possible return to Arsenal before he eventually settled on signing for the Blues following a three-year spell at Barcelona.

Earlier this week, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger called for the Gunners fans to respect the Spaniard, who spent eight years playing for the North London side, when he returns to the Emirates for Sunday's Premier League clash.

Today, Mourinho said in a press conference: "I don't see a reason for Fabregas not to have the same at the Emirates, but, if he has some bad reactions, I think he's one of the players who is more than ready. He played in Barcelona with an Arsenal shirt. Why can't he play at the Emirates with a Chelsea shirt? No problem.

"I know why he chose Chelsea. I don't know why he didn't choose Arsenal. I can only speak about what we promised him. I can't talk about the decision for him leaving Arsenal, or what stopped him going back. I don't know if it was the manager's or his decision.

"I just promised him we'd build a team very adapted to his style of play. That he was going to be an important player in our project. And that, normally, good projects end with titles. He was looking for that. That's all I can say."

If Chelsea win their next two league games, they will be crowned champions.