José Mourinho has been thrilled with Cesc Fàbregas on and off the pitch in his first season at Chelsea.

"[Fabregas] is a better guy than I thought", Mourinho said. "He’s a fantastic guy, he’s a fantastic professional.

"Now I understand why at the age of 19 or 20 or 21 he was Arsenal captain."

John Terry is the current captain of Chelsea and Mourinho suggested Fàbregas could become his successor.

Mourinho then added: "When I am the manager at Chelsea the armband will go to another arm that has been in this club for many many years.

"But one thing is [the leader’s] brain needs to be connected with the manager, and his brain is connected to mine during matches."