Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard were far from the best of friends during their playing days.

The pair were sworn enemies as they turned out for London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea – with the heated 2007 League Cup final between the two teams sparking an 11-year feud.

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In fact, that’s how strong the tension was between the two, that former Gunners star Fabregas revealed that it lasted until after Lampardhis retirement for them to bury the hatchet – in a Russian gym.

With both among the world’s best midfielders throughout their careers, they have often found themselves at the heart of the battle during heated meetings between Arsenal and the Blues.

This sometimes caused tempers to flare between the two playmakers as their teams went toe-to-toe for titles during a highly competitive era in English football.

On one occasion, an altercation broke out during the 2007 League Cup final, which Chelsea won 2–1, resulting in Lampard and Fabregas being separated.

And the first Spain international revealed that this incident proved to be the beginning of their spell.

Talking to telegraph in 2020, Fabregas recalled: “It’s completely true (that I went down), we don’t have to hide anything, I think he’ll tell you the same thing.

“We had many, many battles over the years and we kind of fell out on the football pitch because he wanted to play and win for Chelsea and I wanted to win for Arsenal.

“The League Cup final was a bit crazy. We were losing 2-1 and it was practically the last moment of the game and you feel a bit frustrated.

“(John Obi) Michael and Kolo Toure he got into a tackle and both were sent off. Frank and I had a moment there.

“I think maybe I was very young and very excited. I wanted to conquer the world and sometimes I got overwhelmed by the situation and got in over my head.”

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And the trouble between the pair continued after Fabregas joined Barcelona in 2011, with whom he suffered Champions League semi-final defeat to Lampard and Chelsea in 2012.

Fabregas reflected on the meeting with his English opponent: “Even when I was with Barcelona, ​​I remember that in the Champions League game we also had our moments.

“I like it, personally. Frank is a competitor and a winner, and he’ll tell you the same.”

Ironically, the current Como boss is set to replace Lampard at Chelsea, signing just days after the Blues’ record goalscorer announced his departure in 2014.

And while they were denied the chance to patch things up at Stamford Bridge, Fabregas revealed the moment had finally come at the 2018 World Cup while working as a pundit for the BBC.

He recalled: “We met at the World Cup in Russia working for the BBC and went to the gym together.

“We were having lunch together and then he just signed for Derby and I was asking him questions about how he sees the situation and explaining his plans a bit.”

And despite the many clashes, Fabregas admitted he has nothing but respect for Lampard, who won three Premier League titles and won the Champions League in 2012 during his 13 years at the Blues.

The 2010 World Cup winner explained: “That’s what football is about. I respect him so much for what he has done with Chelsea and football in general.

“He was a fantastic player and a fantastic opponent to play against.

“Of course I didn’t like him, because many times they beat us and it was difficult to play against him, but always with respect and admiration.”