Como send Cesc Fabregas message to Chelsea as pressure mounts on Liam Rosenior | Football

Como chief Carlalberto Ludi says he is relaxed about Cesc Fabregas’ future and ‘confident’ the former Chelsea midfielder will remain as manager ‘for a long time’.

Fabregas, 38, has won himself plenty of admirers with his outstanding work in charge of Como having led the side to promotion from the Italian second tier in the summer of 2024.

Como finished ninth on their return to Serie A last season – their highest finish since 1987 – and the Lombardy-based outfit are on course to better that this term, sitting fifth in the table with five matches remaining of the campaign.

Fabregas’ men had also appeared on course to advance through to this year’s Coppa Italia final on Tuesday night, only for Inter Milan score two late goals to break Como hearts in a dramatic semi-final second leg.

After three straight defeats in all competitions, Como’s squad will be desperate to get their season back on track when they return to action away to Genoa this weekend.

Considering Como have never before competed in Europe, Champions League qualification would represent a remarkable achievement for Fabregas in what is only his second season as permanent manager.

However, the Spaniard’s exploits are naturally beginning to attract the attentions of some of the biggest names in world football, with his former clubs Barcelona and Chelsea among those linked.

Calls for Chelsea to explore a move for Fabregas have only intensified as pressure continues to mount on Liam Rosenior, whose side have lost five league games in a row without scoring a goal for the first time since 1912. 

Just last month, Como’s president Mirwan Suwarso told Revista Undici: ‘Cesc is really very important for us.

‘But we would be stupid not to think that one day he could go to Arsenal, Barcelona or Chelsea.

‘If he continues to win with us or in any case to be successful, even if I cannot speak for him, I believe he could have bigger dreams.’

But speaking just moments before the club’s defeat to Inter on Tuesday night, Como’s sporting director, Ludi, sent out a slightly different message, backing ‘phenomenon’ Fabregas to stay put for the foreseeable future.

‘Cesc is our linchpin, around whom our entire project is centred,’ Ludi told SportMediaset.

‘He’s a phenomenon, I’ve been saying it for three years now, and he’s growing every month.

‘He has an incredible desire to learn and improve, he has an ambition and a hunger like no other.

‘We owe him a lot, I think we’re aligned culturally and in terms of objectives, and I’m confident we’ll continue together for a long time because just as we give so much to him, he also gives so much back to us every day.’

Asked if and the club were afraid Fabregas may be coaxed away in the summer, Ludi replied: ‘We’ve never been afraid.

‘After that, we’ll see. We cannot predict the future but we’re confident in the relationship we have with Cesc and the work we do every day.’

When facing the media, Fabregas has been keen to distance himself from speculation and rumours that he could be set for the exit door at Como before too long.

At the annual Enzo Bearzot Award ceremony last week, the 2010 World Cup winner insisted he remained fully committed to Como and not even considering the prospect of switching clubs.

‘I am very committed to this project. You never know, but right now I think it’s very unlikely I’ll leave Como,’ he explained.

‘Last year, I wanted to see how other clubs operated. I mentioned it to the president, but I decided to stay.

‘I’m very happy with what we’ve been able to achieve. This is an important project.

‘I need to feel good here. It’s important that my family is happy, and if they’re happy in Como, I’ll stay.’

Fabregas put pen to paper on a four-year deal when he was appointed permanent manager of Como, tying him to the club until 2028.

Chelsea head coach Rosenior, meanwhile, is believed to maintain the support of Stamford Bridge bosses as it stands, despite his wretched few weeks in the job.

Rosenior’s current contract with the Blues runs through to 2032.

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