Cesc Fabregas gave an emotional farewell speech in the Stamford Bridge dressing room that ended with his Chelsea teammates hugging him, ahead of his expected move to AS Monaco this window.

The 31-year-old was taken off in the 86th minute during his side’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Nottingham Forest in order to receive a standing ovation from the home fans after four and a half trophy-laden years at the club, and later was in floods of tears that continued as he went off the pitch.

David Luiz revealed the emotion continued in the dressing room on what was a “sad” day for the team and added that Chelsea are losing a “world-class” player who was one of the best to ever appear in England.

While no deal with Monaco is as yet confirmed, Fabregas was acting as if it was his last game, and the players were speaking like it.

“He did a speech and then after that we all say thank you for him, and hug him,” David Luiz revealed.

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“I think it’s an emotional day not just for him, for everybody. One of the best players playing in England was him, everyone knows that. Sad for everybody when you lose this kind of player, this kind of person, but I think everybody has to stand up and clap the hands for him because he deserves it.

“It’s always difficult to lose players, especially like him, because like I say he’s a world-class player but also I understand it’s part of the process, and if it’s better for him and better for the club, we have to understand that.”

Fabregas won two Premier League titles, a League Cup and an FA Cup with Chelsea, and Luiz said it was that champion’s assertiveness that would remain in the memory.

“I think he won everything with this club. My memories are always going to be with the world-class player, with the great technique, he’s a great guy.