Cesc Fabregas once said, 'The Premier League is the objective; it is the biggest dream a coach can have. Have I got it in me? Time will tell.' Those words, spoken in an August 2023 interview with Sky Sports, have resurfaced as the Spaniard emerges as a top candidate for Chelsea's managerial vacancy. Following Liam Rosenior's dismissal, Chelsea's owners BlueCo are searching for their fifth manager since taking over. Reports indicate Fabregas, a two-time league winner with Chelsea as a player, is under serious consideration.
Rapid Rise at Como
After a stellar playing career, Fabregas transitioned into coaching at Como, starting with the youth and B-teams before becoming first-team assistant. He helped Como return to Serie A and then took over as head coach, guiding them to a tenth-place finish in their first season back. This season, Como sits fifth, contending for European qualification with five games remaining. Fabregas is praised for his analytical mind and communication skills, aided by fluency in four languages. Former Como goalkeeper Pepe Reina told The Athletic, 'For sure, Cesc is going to be one of the very top coaches. He has his ideas of football and also a pragmatism when it comes to communicating his message to everyone. He convinces you.'
What to Expect from a Fabregas Team
In a 2024 interview with ITV, Fabregas outlined his philosophy: 'A team that wants to dominate, a team that wants to create chances, to defend as high as possible up the pitch, to have a good reaggression after we lose the ball.' Data supports this. Como averages 61.1% possession in Serie A, the highest in the league, typically in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Midfielders drop deep to draw out presses, wingers cut inside, and full-backs provide width. Nico Paz, on loan from Real Madrid, orchestrates attacks. Como's 61 through balls this season are second only to Juventus, showing a willingness to play through lines. Defensively, Como's PPDA of 9.1 is the best in Serie A, indicating intense pressing. They have scored eight goals from high turnovers, the most in the league, rewarding their high-intensity approach.
Expert Analysis
Italian football journalist Lorenzo Bettoni describes Fabregas's style as 'modern and exciting. It’s like a Spanish team playing in Serie A. He has a clear philosophy in mind.' However, critics question whether his approach prioritizes style over substance. Bettoni notes, 'Fabregas is a bit of a controversial figure because in Italy, there’s always been this debate between those who play well and those who win games. He’s shown to be a coach with great ideas, but there are doubts on whether he can achieve results solely relying on his playing style without compromise.'
Can Fabregas Handle Chelsea's Set-Up?
A return to London would mean more than a change of scenery. At Como, Fabregas is both a shareholder and head coach, granting him influence unlikely at Chelsea, where previous managers clashed with the board. While Como's squad is the fourth-youngest in Serie A, they added experienced players like Diego Carlos and Alvaro Morata last summer. Chelsea's youth-first transfer policy may conflict with Fabregas's need for experience to implement his system. Comparisons to Mikel Arteta at Arsenal are inevitable, but whether Chelsea would afford Fabregas the same time remains uncertain. His record in Italy suggests he can quickly turn things around, but the pressure at Stamford Bridge is immense.
