Fabregas, 27, joined the Blues last week in a £27-million move from Barcelona, having previously enjoyed an eight-year stay with Arsenal.

"He is the kind of player we need,” Mourinho told ITV. "Not just for his qualities as a player but also his competitive personality.

"He is a player in the best years of his career – 26, 27, 28. He knows England well, he knows the Premiership well, so he will not need time to adapt.

"I think he is the kind of player who will come and train for a couple of weeks and be ready to prove himself."