Chelsea have been advised to look past their own ownership links and appoint former midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas as their next head coach, with a Liverpool icon warning that the alternative candidate is not yet ready for the Stamford Bridge pressure cooker.
Barnes Backs Blues Legend Fabregas
The London club are actively searching for a new boss after parting company with Enzo Maresca earlier this week. His dismissal followed a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night, which was reportedly the final straw after months of simmering tension between the Italian and the club's hierarchy.
In the immediate aftermath, several names have been linked with the vacancy. One prominent figure is Liam Rosenior, the 41-year-old currently in charge of French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. Rosenior's candidacy is strengthened by the fact Strasbourg is also owned by the BlueCo consortium, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, which controls Chelsea.
However, former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes has urged the Blues to look elsewhere. He believes Rosenior, despite doing a good job, should be avoided in favour of a familiar face in Fabregas.
Why Rosenior Isn't The Right Fit, According to Barnes
"I'm surprised that Enzo Maresca has been sacked, because I thought he was doing a good job," Barnes stated in an interview. He suggested the next manager must accept a lack of total control over transfers and simply deliver results.
Speaking on the Rosenior link, Barnes was cautious. "There's talk of Liam Rosenior coming in, who's doing a very good job at Strasbourg, but it's going to be very difficult for him to come into a club like Chelsea," he explained. Barnes argued that while Rosenior would likely accept the club's structure, that lack of power is not ideal for a young manager who needs more time before taking such a massive step.
Fabregas Ticks All The Boxes for Chelsea
Barnes instead pinpointed Como manager Cesc Fabregas as the ideal candidate. "Another option is Cesc Fabregas. Despite the fact he's a young manager, he has a history with Chelsea – which is very important," Barnes said. "The fans loved him and he's done very well at Como, so I think he would be the right fit."
He added that established, big-name managers who demand control would likely steer clear of Chelsea's current model, making the former Spain international a perfect match. "I believe Fabregas will be the favourite to come in," Barnes concluded.
Fabregas enjoyed a successful playing career at Stamford Bridge, making nearly 200 appearances for the club after his famous move from Arsenal. He retired in 2023 and immediately began his coaching journey with Como's academy. After a brief interim spell in late 2023, he was formally appointed head coach in July 2024 after securing his UEFA Pro licence, signing a four-year deal and quickly earning a reputation as one of Europe's most promising young coaches.
As the search intensifies, Chelsea's decision will reveal whether they value the internal connection with Rosenior or the fan-favourite status and burgeoning managerial pedigree of Cesc Fabregas.
