Cesc Fabregas holds off retirement after Chelsea legend offers him contract

Chelsea icon Dennis Wise has reportedly persuaded Cesc Fabregas to make a shock move to Italian minnows Como.

The former Spain international, 35, is a free agent after leaving Monaco at the end of last season. He played just five games in all competitions during the 2021/22 campaign and it's believed he was considering hanging up his boots after more than 700 club outings.

Fabregas is one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, representing the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea. He's won 16 honours during his career - including the World Cup, two Premier League titles, the La Liga title and two European Championships.

As reported by transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, Fabregas will join Como in the coming days. The Italian side's chair is Dennis Wise, the former Chelsea and England midfielder who won seven trophies during his career. They finished 13th in Serie B last season.

Como last played in Serie A in 2002/03 and have since suffered two bankruptcies. They were most recently re-founded in 2017 and have since achieved two promotions with a third in sight. Wise joined the club, initially as a consultant, three years ago.

Fabregas made his professional debut for Arsenal 19 years ago, coming on against Rotherham United in an EFL Cup match. According to Sky Sport Italia, he was considering his retirement last month but it appears the veteran's playing career isn't over just yet.

Can Como achieve promotion to Serie A this coming season? Let us know in the comments below!

"Didn't play for a few months but felt good yesterday [with] the 45' I played," said Fabregas in April after making an appearance. "Still got a few tricks here and there!"

Fabregas opened up on his struggles last season during an interview with So Foot. "My head needs a departure elsewhere," he said. "It's been not only the worst year of my career but the worst year of my life because when I'm not happy in football, I can't be happy in life. I have suffered a lot this year; it's been difficult mentally."

Speaking to Mirror Football last August, Fabregas outlined his retirement plan. "The closer the end comes, the more thoughts come to your mind, but at the same time, I love football a lot and I'm enjoying training everyday," said the midfielder.

"Going to the training ground, staying here with the boys, learning new things, competing, trying to make things difficult for the coach and I just feel like I can still play."

Fabregas went on to say: "This is my last year here [at Monaco], then I'll see what I want to do. I'll see where my head is and what I want to do, but yes, it is something that I want to do in the future, going into coaching quickly after I retire, whenever that is.

"But here is a good place to be because a lot of young players are willing to learn, they ask questions, they want to improve, they let themselves be advised on many things, so it's great for me to have this approach with them."