EA Sports FC 27 Emirates Stadium
EA Sports
Arsenal and Chelsea could fast-track a move to appoint former player Cesc Fabregas as manager, should either Premier League club want to, over the next two years.
The 39-year-old is cultivating a reputation as a hugely promising head coach thanks to his time with Serie A outfit Como. Since arriving in Italy in 2024, Fabregas has taken the underdogs to Champions League football, and turned heads in the process.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea will have few complaints about bosses Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso, but a fresh report from Spain claims that the London clubs would have special access to approach Fabregas, should they ever decide to do so.
Chelsea and Arsenal have Cesc Fabregas priority
Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas made more than 100 appearances for both the Gunners and the Blues while playing his football in England. With Arsenal, the midfielder won the FA Cup and finished as a Champions League runner-up. While at Stamford Bridge, the Spaniard won two Premier League titles and the Europa League.
The former World Cup winner has a special bond with both teams and, according to Spanish outlet Sport, that was at the forefront of his mind when signing a contract to manage Como.
Fabregas is known to be very happy with the Serie A side, and determined to see out the remaining two years of his contract. However, there is a clause in his deal that would facilitate a move to manage one of his former clubs.
The outlet claims that Arsenal, Chelsea and Catalan giants Barcelona are able to activate a lowly release clause to snap up the manager, with Gianluca di Marzio claiming the fee to do so could be virtually symbolic.
Verdict: Will Cesc Fabregas manage Chelsea or Arsenal soon?
Chelsea's Eden Hazard celebrates with Cesc Fabregas after the match
Chelsea's Eden Hazard celebrates with Cesc Fabregas after the match
Right now, it's hard to see either Chelsea or Arsenal opting for a change in management. However, life can change very quickly in football.
Arsenal handed Arteta a new contract earlier this month, with the BBC reporting that a 'sharp pay increase from his current salary of £10m per year plus an additional £5m in bonuses' was included.
The 44-year-old has just won the Premier League with the Gunners and looks set on adding a Champions League title while in North London. His new deal is expected to last for another four years, although the duration of the long-term deal has not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, at Chelsea, Alonso has arrived with a hugely exciting brand of football. The Blues have plundered 10 goals so far this season, only outscored by Brighton and Manchester City, but have also conceded 12.
Alonso will not be fretting over his future just yet, but there are few clubs in world football known to be less patient with managers than Chelsea. Should a leaky defence not be remedied, then even a free-flowing trio of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro might not be able to keep Alonso at the club until his deal runs out in 2030.
It would, therefore, be much more plausible to think about seeing Fabregas back in the Chelsea dugout before he manages to oust Arteta from his perch at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)