Sunday 26 February 2017 10:51, UK
Cesc Fabregas says reaching 300 Premier League appearances this weekend left him feeling "humbled and proud".
Fabregas became the first Spaniard to hit the landmark as he started - and scored - in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat of Swansea on Saturday.
The midfielder's Premier League debut came as a 17-year-old at Arsenal almost 13 years ago, and he acknowledged Arsene Wenger along with his three Blues managers after a man-of-the-match performance at Stamford Bridge.
"To be honest, I feel humbled and very proud," he told Chelsea TV. "I've worked very hard to make it to 300 and all I can say is thank you to everyone who has helped me reach this mark - to Arsenal, to Chelsea, to Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Antonio Conte.
"Obviously thanks goes to all the fans who support me, my family and friends as well. It has been many years, although it doesn't feel like it, it feels like it was yesterday, but it's been a long journey and hopefully it will be an even longer one."
Fabregas' goal against Swansea helped Conte's side open an 11-point lead at the top, and he said: "I could have had a hat-trick, I had a few chances, but the most important thing was that the team won.
"I felt it was a very difficult game and we knew it would be. Swansea have changed since the new manager has come in, they play very compact, so it was difficult for us.
"Like every Premier League game you have to work hard, you have to dig in, and in the second half we had to show our character and come back into the game. It wasn't easy at all so I'm very happy for the win."
Conte continues to preach a 'one-game-at-a-time' sermon despite Chelsea's huge lead at the top, and his players are not veering from the message.
Fabregas said: "At the end of the day you play 38 games like everybody else. Some teams have a good period at the beginning, other teams finish stronger.
"Ultimately you will play against everyone and you just have to be regular and try to be solid every time you play. At the moment we feel good but I agree completely with the manager: there is still a long way to go."
