The Portuguese boss hinted that Fabregas is a player he had longed to work with for some time.
But fierce rivalries - between Chelsea and Arsenal and then Real Madrid and Barcelona - previously meant the chances of pulling off a move were practically non-existent.
Even last summer - when Fabregas joined the Blues in a £30million deal - Arsenal had first option on the Spanish international.
And Mourinho says the unexpected bonus has been partially responsible for Chelsea's impressive form this season.
GETTY
Cesc Fabregas joined Chelsea in the summer
I never felt that he could work with me because when I was at Chelsea he was an arrival at Arsenal.
Jose Mourinho
He said: "I never felt that he could work with me because when I was at Chelsea he was an arrival at Arsenal.
"When I was at Real Madrid, he was an arrival at Barcelona.
"So it was quite unexpected for me, the fact that he wanted to come to England and to come to Chelsea.
"Unexpected yes, but fantastic for our team because it changed the profile of our team since his arrival."
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