The main story line heading into Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round was the last hurrah for midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard was destined to make his 500th appearance in an English football competition, before then heading off to AS Monaco this January transfer window (according to various reports from multiple outlets).
Reportedly, he’ll join the Ligue 1 side on a three year deal next week. The former Arsenal Captain, who will now be reunited with former Gunners teammate Thierry Henry (the current Monaco manager) said his online goodbyes to Chelsea via social media during the run-up to this tie.
Cesc Fabregas in tears as he gets a rousing ovation from the Stamford Bridge crowd after the game #CFC #Fabregas pic.twitter.com/syuMfDYCSM
— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) January 5, 2019
Today, he said his IRL goodbyes to the team, fans and more at Stamford Bridge. And it was a beautiful scene as he got emotional during his farewell.
Cesc Fabregas is a top trending term on Twitter right now nationally, and here is a small collection of some of the better video and photo tweets documenting his farewell that have been posted on the platform.
Farewell to Chelsea ?
Farewell to England ?After over 500 appearances in English football, Cesc Fàbregas bids an emotional goodbye ? pic.twitter.com/BJq7IHnnjT
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 5, 2019
The moment Cesc Fabregas said goodbye to Chelsea and Stamford Bridge #cfc pic.twitter.com/uELvUe7gcw
— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) January 5, 2019
Cesc Fabregas says goodbye to the Chelsea fans, leaving the pitch in tears ?
One last time, Blues:
? FABREGAS IS MAGIC, HE WEARS A MAGIC HAT ? pic.twitter.com/e4KA4nxslf
— GOAL (@goal) January 5, 2019
Fabregas in tears as he says his goodbyes at Stamford Bridge for a final time. pic.twitter.com/Xhcs66fZ5V
— TweetChelseaUK (@TweetChelseaUK) January 5, 2019
Cesc Fabregas leaves Chelsea having won two Premier League titles, one League Cup and one FA Cup. In 197 appearances for the Blues he scored 22 goals and registered 57 assists. When you add in his numbers with Arsenal, he leaves the Premiership having scored 50+ goals and recorded 100+ assists.
Vaya con dios Mr. Fabregas.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.