Fabregas ‘bombarded’ Chelsea assistant with questions before becoming a coach

Former Chelsea assistant coach Luca Gotti reveals Cesc Fabregas would ‘bombard’ him with tactical questions before and after games: ‘He was genuinely obsessed.’

Fabregas has just started his second Serie A season as Como’s head coach, grabbing one win and one defeat in the opening two games of the 2025-26 campaign.

A former Chelsea player under Maurizio Sarri in 2018-19, Fabregas showed a clear desire to become a coach even before hanging up his boots.

Italian coach Gotti, a former Udinese and Lecce boss and Sarri’s ex-assistant at Chelsea, described how Fabregas would approach him to ask tactical questions during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Fabregas ‘obsessed’ with football

“I know people often say this, but Cesc was already a coach while playing football,” Gotti told Gazzetta.

“Really. Not just because of his position on the pitch. He was genuinely obsessed. He observed everything, asked questions, and wanted to know more and more. Often, we were travelling or at the table, and he’d sit next to me and bombard me with questions. ‘Why did we defend like that in this situation?’ or ‘How does Sarri plan to face Crystal Palace when they defend this way?’

Gotti: Fabregas would ‘listen’ and ‘write down the answers’

“He also tried to find solutions and come up with some answers. Then he would listen, write down the answers, and study them. It’s not just about being destined for it or well-prepared. It’s truly a matter of dedication and passion.”

Como’s next Serie A game is at home against Patrick Vieira’s Genoa on Monday, September 15, in a reunion between Arsenal legends.

During the same interview, Gotti spoke about the development of Ruben Loftus-Cheek at Milan, given that he also coached the English midfielder at Stamford Bridge.