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‘The time has come’–Eden Hazard tells former teammate to return to Chelsea

Chelsea Legends v Liverpool Legends

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard (Picture: Getty)

Eden Hazard has revealed the conversation he had with his former Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas about returning to Stamford Bridge as manager.

Blues legend Fabregas was tentatively linked with the Chelsea job after Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day.

The ex-Spain international, who won two Premier League titles at Chelsea, has impressed since taking over Italian side Como in 2024.

Como finished 10th in Serie A last season and are currently sixth, four points outside the Champions League places.

Hazard believes Fabregas is ‘destined’ to become one of the best coaches in the world and admits he ‘dreams’ of seeing his former teammate in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

The Chelsea heroes were in regular contact last summer and Hazard made it clear to Fabregas that he wanted to see him return to west London.

‘I’ll be honest, in the summer we talked a bit,’ Hazard, 35, told Gazzetta dello Sport.

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Como 1907 v Atalanta BC - Serie A

Como boss and Chelsea legend Cesc Fabregas (Picture: Getty)

‘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.’

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Liam Rosenior ended up being appointed by Chelsea to replace Maresca and has enjoyed a promising start to his Stamford Bridge tenure.

Chelsea have won six of their first eight games under the ex-Strasbourg boss, with their only two defeats coming against Arsenal in each leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Paul Scholes, the former Manchester United and England midfielder, believes Fabregas would have been a ‘better choice’ for Chelsea than Rosenior.

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

‘I think he might have been a better choice for Chelsea than Liam Rosenior.’

Chelsea were beaten 4-2 on aggregate by Arsenal in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. The Gunners will face Manchester City in next month’s final.

Rosenior’s side will look to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they return to Premier League action against bottom-placed Wolves.

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