Fabregas hints at leaving after being dropped from Cup final

LONDON: Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas has hinted at leaving the club after being dropped for the English FA Cup final loss against former club Arsenal.

The Spanish midfielder revealed his disappointment at being left out of the starting line-up and wonders if his future lies away from the champions.

The 30-year-old started four of the Blues’ last six English Premier League matches as they won the title under boss Antonio Conte.

But all season he started just 15 games and was much more utilised as a late substitution to add flare and know-how into proceedings.

And after joining the club from Barcelona in 2014 for £ 28mil (RM154mil), he is finding himself often on the periphery despite playing in most games.

When asked about his future and whether he would leave after the 2-1 loss yesterday, 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 because of what has happened but for sure we would rather win the Premier League than the FA Cup.”

Fabregas came on for Nemanja Matic on the hour-mark but could not turn the match which sprung into life through Alexis Sanchez’s controversial early opener.

Diego Costa levelled on 76 minutes but just moments later Aaron Ramsey scored the winner – all after a poor Chelsea had seen Victor Moses sent off for two yellow cards.

And Fabregas did not seem happy with watching from the sidelines before his ultimately fruitless introduction.

He added: “I thought I was playing very, very well in the last few months. 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.”