Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been backed to become the next manager at Stamford Bridge after Xabi Alonso, according to 50-cap England women's striker Lianne Sanderson. Although Alonso was appointed as Chelsea boss just this summer on a four-year contract and currently has the team sitting fourth in the Premier League, doubts have emerged following a 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham that saw his team selection heavily questioned.
Fabregas is earning widespread admiration across Europe for his achievements in charge of Italian side Como, who sit just two points off the summit of Serie A having lost only once all season. In continental competition, his side recently dismantled Lens 9-1 to take their haul to 19 goals in four Champions League matches, leaving them on the brink of reaching the knockout stage. This represents a remarkable rise for an organisation that competed in Italy's fourth tier in 2019, with Fabregas originally arriving as a Serie B player in 2022 and investing in an undisclosed minority ownership share alongside Thierry Henry.
Speaking on talkSPORT's Kick-Off, Italian journalist Daniele Fisichella described Fabregas as "the real deal" and noted his ability to blend an attack-minded philosophy with defensive pragmatism, including the use of low blocks. Fisichella admitted he was surprised the Spaniard remained for a third season following criticism of his front-foot style in Italy, but predicted that Fabregas—alongside Como talents Nico Paz, 'Tasos' Douvikas, and French international Lucas da Cunha—could depart for a higher-profile club next summer.
A potential managerial return to Stamford Bridge would see Fabregas revisit the club where he enjoyed enormous success as a player, claiming five trophies including two Premier League titles after earlier spending eight years at Arsenal and moving from Barcelona. Having also won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain, Fabregas's growing tactical pedigree continues to keep him linked with elite vacancies as Alonso manages early scrutiny in west London.