Cesc Fabregas criticises Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri over his treatment of departing Gary Cahill

Cahill was on the substitutes bench and got the opportunity to lift the trophy but Fabregas felt he should have been given the final few minutes to play once the game was won

Lawrence Ostlere
Thursday 30 May 2019 13:20 BST
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Maurizio Sarri discusses Eden Hazard and own future with Chelsea after Europa League final win

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Cesc Fabregas criticised Maurizio Sarri’s choice not to bring Gary Cahill on to the pitch in the final minutes of Chelsea’s Europa League final victory, ahead of Cahill’s departure from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in Baku on Wednesday night, and Fabregas, who left Chelsea for Monaco midway through the season, was disappointed that his former manager didn’t give Cahill the chance to say goodbye on the pitch after seven years at the club.

Cahill was on the substitutes bench and got the opportunity to lift the trophy with captain Cesar Azpilicueta, but Fabregas felt he should have been given the final few minutes to play once the game was won.

“He is a fantastic servant for the club,” Fabregas said, working as a pundit on BT Sport. “I mean, if there is one thing that I am missing tonight, it was this touch from somebody.

“I don’t want to say anything negative tonight, but a little touch to Gary Cahill, with five minutes to go, 4-1 against Arsenal. Put him on, give him the armband. Let him leave as a proper hero as he deserves. I missed that to be honest. But it’s a great night for Chelsea Football Club.”

The win was Cahill’s second Europa League triumph following glory in 2012-13. He also won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, and a League Cup during his time in west London.

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