Cesc Fabregas is one of several names currently being linked with the Chelsea job following the sacking of Liam Rosenior.
It has been claimed that Fabregas’ preference is to manage Arsenal one day, but it does not look like Mikel Arteta will be going anywhere for the time being.
Wherever Fabregas ends up when he decides it is time to leave Como, there is one style of football that the 39-year-old will not be playing.
What would you change in Cesc Fabregas’ potential Chelsea XI?
Still looks a bit young 🤔
Cesc Fabregas adamant he will never coach long balls
Fabregas is a former Barcelona and Spain midfielder who played during his nation’s era of Tiki-taka football.
Unsurprisingly, it has influenced him as a manager, with the World Cup winner making it clear that he will never coach long-ball football.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Fabregas said: “You need to adapt, depending on the group of players that you have. But, at the end of the day, you have some beliefs. I could not coach long ball, second ball. Why? Because you need to believe in what you do.
“You can win in any way, as long as you convince the players and you convince everyone that this is the right way. But I have my beliefs. If you want to play long ball, second ball, I’m sorry I’m not your guy, because I don’t feel it.”
The above is likely to put Fabregas near the top of Chelsea’s shortlist of potential replacements for Rosenior.
Most owners today want a coach who is going to play a possession-based style of football, and Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are no different. It is why they hired Enzo Maresca, for example, who worked closely with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Jeremie Frimpong at right wing-back? Reece James in central defence? Let Xabi Alonso cook! 🔥
Fabregas does not appear to be in a hurry to return to Stamford Bridge, though, while he has already been warned against going back.
John Obi Mikel thinks it is too soon for Fabregas to join Chelsea, with the ex-Spain international having not been a manager for long.
However, if you are a Chelsea fan, Fabregas is one of the more exciting names being linked with the job. Plenty of supporters will want to see him in the Stamford Bridge dugout, especially after his success in west London as a player.
His former Spain teammate Xabi Alonso is also a name that Chelsea fans would probably welcome despite his Liverpool connections.
He is a high-profile coach who did a magnificent job at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the 2024 Bundesliga title undefeated to end Bayern Munich’s dominance of German football.
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