The Spain midfielder will return to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for the first time since he left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011.
The Gunners had the option to re-sign Fabregas last summer but a deal never materialised and he joined their Premier League rivals instead.
"I know why he chose Chelsea," Mourinho told reporters. "I don't know why he didn't choose Arsenal. I can only speak about what we promised him.
"I can't talk about the decision for him leaving Arsenal or what stopped him going back.
"I don't know if it was the manager's or his decision. I just promised him we'd build a team very adapted to his style of play, that he was going to be an important player in our project ... and that, normally, good projects end with titles. He was looking for that. That's all I can say."
Mourinho insists that he is not concerned that Fabregas's performance might be affected if he receives a negative reception from the home crowd when the top two face off.
"I don't know [what reception he will get]," the Portuguese added. "To be fair, I don't know - and, to be fair, I'm not worried with that.
"Frank Lampard played at Stamford Bridge [for Manchester City] without any kind of problem and with a good reception. I don't see a reason for Fabregas not to have the same at the Emirates but, if he has some bad reactions, I think he's one of the players who is more than ready.
"He played in Barcelona with an Arsenal shirt. Why can't he play at the Emirates with a Chelsea shirt? No problem."
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