‘The time has come’ – Eden Hazard dreaming of ex-Chelsea teammate to return as manager

Eden Hazard has declared ‘the time has come’ for Cesc Fabregas to return to Chelsea as manager having impressed at Como.

The Spaniard, who won two Premier League titles with Hazard at Stamford Bridge, was linked with the vacant manager’s post prior to the appointment of Liam Rosenior.

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Fabregas has caught the eye in his role as manager of Serie A side Como since taking over in 2024.

He led the unfancied outfit to a tenth-placed finish last season and could go one better this time round with Como currently sixth in the table and in the mix for Champions League qualification.

Hazard, who expects his former teammate to enjoy a fruitful managerial career, revealed that he spoke to Fabregas last summer and made it clear that he would like to see him return to west London.

“I’ll be honest, in the summer we talked a bit,” Hazard told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I told him he was one of the best midfielders in history and that he’s destined to become one of the best coaches as well.

“I explained to him that the time has come for him to return to Chelsea, and he joked about it, but I really believe it. He loves football and knows everything about this spot.

“I’m a Chelsea fan, and I want the best for the club. That’s why I dream of seeing Cesc on their bench, while I’ll be staying in the stands behind him, enjoying the show.”

Doing a Fab job

Fabregas’ stellar exploits have caught the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs including fellow Italian club Inter.

The Nerrazzuri were poised to launch an offensive for the Spaniard last summer following the departure of Simone Inzaghi.

However, their efforts were rebuffed by Como which saw Inter opt for former defender Cristian Chivu instead.

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Elsewhere, Chelsea appointed Rosenior last month as the replacement for Enzo Maresca, who left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day.

The 41-year-old has made a strong start to the tenure having won six of his first eight games in charge.

The only blemishes on his record came in the two Carabao Cup semi-final defeats to Arsenal.

‘Wrong choice’

While Rosenior has made a promising start since his arrival from Strasbourg, not everyone was sold on his appointment.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes Fabregas would have been a better choice for the Blues.

“Do you know what? I actually like what Cesc Fabregas is doing,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

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“I think he might have been a better choice for Chelsea than Liam Rosenior.”

Rosenior helped guide Chelsea to a top eight finish in the Champions League and direct qualification to the last-16.

The Blues sit fifth in the Premier League table – one point adrift of Manchester United in the race for the top four.

Chelsea will be hoping to put their midweek Carabao Cup misery behind them when they travel to bottom side Wolves on Saturday.