David Luiz bids farewell to Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas: 'He is one of the best ever and we'll miss him'
The Blues maestro waved goodbye to Stamford Bridge on Saturday after what is thought to be his final game in English football
By Sean O'Brien
5th January 2019, 9:40 pm
Updated: 5th January 2019, 9:47 pm
David Luiz paid tribute to Cesc Fabregas after the midfielder bid an emotional farewell to English football on Saturday.
Fabregas, who has been linked with a January switch to Monaco, was tearful as he left the pitch during Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round.
Stamford Bridge sang his name in unison as he waved goodbye and Luiz admitted the club will miss him dearly.
"I think Cesc is one of the best players to have played in England for many, many years," he told talkSPORT. "It was emotional, not just for him, but for everybody.
A post shared by David Luiz (@davidluiz_4)
"Maybe he is not going to play for Chelsea anymore so we are sad, but we wish him all the best because he is a great character and a great player and we will miss him.
"It's always hard, but it's always part of the process."
Fabregas spurned the opportunity to seal a fairytale ending by missing a first-half penalty, however two goals from Alvaro Morata ensured the Blues sailed comfortably into the next round of the competition.
Chelsea's teenage starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi created both goals and showed precisely why Bayern Munich are so desperate to sign him.
Callum Hudson Odoi starred in the victory over Nottingham Forest
The 18-year-old winger is considering his options after three bids from the Bundesliga giants, the latest in excess of £30million.
Chelsea have tabled a fresh contract offer for Hudson-Odoi, whose current deal expires in 2020, and Luiz was quick to hail the impact of the club's fringe players against Forest.
He added: "It was great for the boys who haven't played a lot this season so they had the opportunity to prove themselves and they did amazing, so we are happy with that."
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Next up for Maurizio Sarri's men: Tottenham away in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
And Luiz insists he has absolutely no problems with their unrelenting and congested fixture list.
"It's better to be playing games than training, I always say that," he said. "It's better to have many games because then you can play every week."