Fabregas has spent the majority of his career in the Premier League (Getty)

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed how Andres Iniesta inadvertently contributed to him coming to England.

The Spaniard was in the Barcelona academy as a teenager but made the decision to move to Arsenal as a 16-year-old.

Speaking to the BBC, Fabregas explained how Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made an impression on him.

‘It was [a big decision]. I had just turned 16,’ said the now 30-year-old.

‘Then you see Arsene Wenger there waiting for you, cutting his holiday, just to come and see you.

‘For me it was a bit like “what have I done?!”

‘Then they made an offer for me, Arsene was very clear he wanted me to train with the first team since day one.

‘I’m not going to lie it was tough but a fantastic opportunity.’

Fabregas with Arsene Wenger in 2004 (Getty)

While he was impressed by the offer from Arsenal, Fabregas admits his decision was also influenced by how tough he felt it would be to break through at Barcelona. The presence of Iniesta, who was with him in the academy but considered a better prospect, played a part.

Iniesta was in the academy with Fabregas (Getty)

Fabregas said: ‘At Barcelona it was so difficult. You had the likes of Iniesta who still didn’t even reach the first team at the time and he was seen as the next big thing.

‘I had to make the decision and I did it. It happened and here I am today.’

Fabregas would of course move back to Barcelona later in his career where he spent three seasons – playing alongside Iniesta – before returning to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2014.

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