Eden Hazard isn't holding back. The Belgian legend has told his old mate Cesc Fabregas that it's time to come home to Chelsea as their next manager. And he's already got a transfer target in mind too.
Fabregas was actually in the mix when Chelsea needed to replace Enzo Maresca last month after BlueCo pulled the trigger on the Italian. The Spaniard has been doing brilliant work at Como, guiding them to tenth in Serie A last season after promotion, and they're now sitting pretty in sixth place chasing European football.
But Chelsea went with Liam Rosenior instead after he impressed at sister club Strasbourg. Still, that hasn't stopped Hazard from dreaming about what could be.
"I'll be honest. In the summer we talked a little," Hazard told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I told him that he was one of the best midfielders in history and that he is destined to become one of the best coaches as well."
Hazard didn't stop there. He basically told Fabregas to pack his bags and head back to Stamford Bridge. "I explained to him that it was time for him to go back to Chelsea and he joked about it, but I really think so," the former winger added.
The £87m Target Hazard Wants Chelsea to Sign
When asked which Serie A player Fabregas should bring to Chelsea if he gets the job, Hazard dropped a big name. His kids are obsessed with Juventus wonderkid Kenan Yildiz, who's valued at around £87 million.
"My kids are crazy about Yildiz, they watch a lot of videos with his plays and hope to see him in the Premier League," Hazard revealed. Though he admitted the Turkish talent looks more like a Real Madrid player to him.
For anyone thinking about future bets on Chelsea's managerial situation or transfer activity, this is worth noting. Yildiz has been one of Serie A's breakout stars, and if Chelsea do move for him under any manager, it could signal a shift in their recruitment strategy.
Manchester City Enter the Race
Here's where it gets really interesting. Fabregas might not end up at Chelsea at all. Manchester City are reportedly eyeing him as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola.
There's growing chatter in Premier League circles that Guardiola might leave after a decade at the Etihad. City sources are calling it "pure speculation," but the rumours won't go away, especially after Maresca reportedly spoke to City before his Chelsea sacking.
Fabregas is on City's shortlist alongside Maresca (Guardiola's former assistant) and Xabi Alonso, who Real Madrid surprisingly sacked in January. With Como flying high and Fabregas's stock rising, he'd apparently only leave for one of the biggest jobs in European football. City and Chelsea certainly fit that bill.
The managerial merry-go-round is spinning fast, and Fabregas seems destined for a massive move soon. Whether it's the blue of Chelsea or the sky blue of Manchester remains to be seen.
