Expert Insights from Italy
From the serene shores of Lake Como to the competitive arena of Serie A, the ascent of the Northern Italian club Como 1907 has been both beautiful and extraordinary. Once struggling in the lower divisions, this historic club is now enjoying its second consecutive season in Italy’s top league, and they are off to a strong start this year. Under the guidance of former Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, Como currently occupies sixth place in the Serie A standings after securing a 2-0 victory against Juventus last weekend. Supported by ambitious ownership and a distinct footballing philosophy, Como is making a name for itself not just for its stunning location, but for its serious aspirations to rise through the ranks of Italian football.
Under Fàbregas’s leadership, Como has adopted a modern, possession-based style of play, culminating in a 10th place finish last season— their first in the top division since 2003 and their best placement in Serie A since the 1980s. However, the club’s ambitions don’t end there, as they made significant investments during a bustling summer transfer window, bringing in high-profile players while remaining committed to the football philosophy that brought them success. With insights from our team in Italy, Transfermarkt delves deeper into Como’s recent evolution, their summer transfer strategy, and Fàbregas’s emergence as a promising young manager in the sport.
What fuels Como’s ascent & can they compete with Serie A’s elite?
It’s essential to note that while spending money is not the sole pathway to success, Como’s rise hasn’t been purely a fairy tale; the club has heavily invested in their squad. As demonstrated by the graphic below, only four Serie A teams spent more than Como this past summer, and no club had a higher net expenditure. Stefano Buonfino, one of Transfermarkt’s Content Managers in Italy, shares insights on Como’s performance: “Considering the summer investments, Como’s success isn’t surprising. However, they are still excelling with a very young and talented team.”
Creating an environment that allows players to flourish without the fear of failure has also been crucial to Como’s success. Buonfino explains, “Their secret is patience; they haven’t pressured the manager or the young players, allowing them to grow in a supportive atmosphere.” Currently, Como has garnered 12 points from their first seven league matches and trails league leaders AC Milan by just four points. However, can Como genuinely challenge the giants of Italian football? Buonfino is skeptical: “The president of Como himself acknowledged that climbing to the top will be challenging. Como is a small city, and to attract players, it needs more than just its beautiful scenery; it requires other incentives. Financially, they face limitations due to both revenue constraints and Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.”
One of Como’s most astute signings is undoubtedly young talent Nico Paz. Acquired from Real Madrid for only €6 million, the Argentinian has rapidly showcased his abilities. However, the La Liga team retains a buy-back clause on him. This summer, Real Madrid opted not to activate their €8 million buy-back option, but they still hold clauses of €9 million for 2026 and €10 million for 2027. Madrid recognizes Paz’s potential but believes he needs time to mature. Buonfino expresses his excitement: “With many talented players, it’s often about patience, but I find it hard to do that with Nico Paz; he’s already someone who can play for Real Madrid, the club that seems destined for him. In seven matches, he has contributed four goals and four assists, with eight of Como’s nine goals being directly linked to him. He’s not only Como’s standout player but ranks among the top 10 players in Serie A.”
How capable is manager Cesc Fàbregas?
Fàbregas officially became the manager of Como at the beginning of last season after their promotion, following his involvement with the club as a player and assistant coach. While he technically wasn’t the head coach during their promotion campaign due to licensing, he has certainly made an impact. Over the summer, he was courted by several prominent clubs, such as Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan, but turned down all offers. In a recent press conference, Fàbregas affirmed, “I am deeply content here, and I have felt that way from day one. I’ve always communicated this to the club and value honesty.”
Nonetheless, should Como continue on this successful path, it’s likely that other clubs will again look to secure his services next summer. Buonfino elaborates on Fàbregas’s promising managerial potential: “Fàbregas is a young coach with clear ideas. He is a partner at Como, so he is not just a coach but someone who found himself in a welcoming environment that has allowed him to flourish. He promotes an attacking style of play, emphasizing building attacks and encouraging creativity among his players, rather than relying on quick counterattacks. His team minimizes turnovers but consistently seeks opportunities to advance play.” While Fàbregas remains dedicated to Como for now, his rising trajectory suggests that a job at one of Europe’s elite clubs may soon be within reach. When asked if he envisions Fàbregas landing a top position in the future, Buonfino stated, “Absolutely. He was approached by Inter last summer but chose to stay committed to Como. It’s likely that top clubs will come calling for him again.” For now, though, Fàbregas is focused on maintaining Como’s upward momentum.
