Cesc still bemused by Wembley sidelining

Cesc Fabregas has questioned why he was dropped for Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat to his old side Arsenal.

The 30-year-old midfielder started four of the Blues’ last six Premier League games as Antonio Conte masterminded another Stamford Bridge title success.

But Fabregas, who spent eight years at Arsenal before returning to Barcelona in 2011, found himself among the subs as Chelsea failed to secure the double following a 2-1 defeat.

Fabregas was introduced in place of Nemanja Matic just after the hour mark, with the Spain international unhappy to have been given a watching brief beforehand. “I thought I was playing very, very well in the last few months,” he said.

“I was in great form and it was a shame I didn’t start the game. I was playing very well and the team was winning, scoring a lot of goals and defending well.

“That is football, you have to accept decisions. It is a bad day and a shame because we wanted to win. The most important thing is the team didn’t win.

“Sometimes it is all about the coach’s decision. I don’t think I could have done much more this season, it is the coach’s decision and you have to respect that.

“I’m sure he wants the best for the team and if he thinks that is the way to go you have to go with it, we are a team. It is between him and me. I have nothing against Antonio, he has done a fantastic job.

“Of course every player wants to play more, it is in the genes of a winner and I am one of them. I’m here for whatever the team needs and I have shown that during the season.”

Fabregas started just 15 games for Chelsea across the entire campaign and refused to rule out a summer move.

Asked if his lack of gametime has made him think about leaving, he said: “Not necessarily, but in football you can never say never.

“Anything can happen but I have always said I feel very, very loved by the fans here and every time I have played I have shown I can play at the top level in this team. It is all about trying to change the manager’s decision.

“It is still a good season. We go home with a bad taste, but for sure we would rather win the Premier League than the FA Cup.”