Jose Mourinho says Cesc Fabregas is the future of Chelsea FC

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his club have moved on from the exit of Frank Lampard by signing Cesc Fabregas. 

Lampard, 36, left in the summer at the end of his contract before the Blues signed midfielder Fabregas, 27, from Barcelona as his replacement.

"Frank is the history of the club, history nobody can forget," said Mourinho.

"Fabregas is the future; history is history but the future is more important at the moment."

Lampard signed for Major League Soccer side New York City in the summer but returned to the Premier League by signing for Chelsea's rivals Manchester City on loan until January.

He spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge and is the club's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals but could face Chelsea when City play them in the top flight on 21 September.

Mourinho added: "My opinion, and the opinion of my players, is that Fabregas is the right player to occupy that central position in midfield."