Topics: Transfer, FA Cup, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, AS Monaco, Cesc Fabregas
The Spanish international has reportedly played his last and final game for the Blues.

It was an emotional Saturday afternoon for the Blues following their FA Cup triumph over Nottingham Forest with Cesc Fabregas all but confirming his imminent exit. The 31-year-old playmaker is believed to have a deal in place to join the Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco in this winter transfer window.

Fabregas was handed a rare start under Maurizio Sarri as well as the captain's armband in the cup game. However, despite missing a first-half penalty, the tearful ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star was subjected to a standing ovation all around the Stamford Bridge when he was replaced by N'Golo Kante in the 85th minute.

In a post-game interview with BBC, Spanish international hinted at his imminent departure by admitting that "everyone knows the situation". Following the arrival of Sarri, the midfielder who boasts the second-best assist record in the English Premier League's history has seen his chances of starting matches cut short. Of the 20 matches played in the league so far, he has made just six appearances, featuring in the starting XI just once.

"The occasion got the better of me," Fabregas said in reference to him shedding tears.

"I didn't expect all of this to happen today. I can't say anything out of respect for Chelsea but everyone knows the situation." "Time flies.

"It feels like last week I started playing professionally, and now it has been over 15 years.

"For the young players, a little advice: enjoy every single second," he added.

"You have to be ready every three days, live with criticism, with everyone saying how good you are, with up and downs, but time really does fly."

Fabregas moved from Barcelona to Chelsea in June 2014 in a transfer worth €33million. Since his arrival, the 31-year-old Spanish midfielder has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one Football League Cup with the Blues.

He will now reportedly join his former Arsenal teammate and now head coach of AS Monaco Thierry Henry in a three-year contract.