Football to rival the city’s beauty: Como are on their way to the top

Around this time last year, newly promoted Italian side Como 1907 turned heads by appointing Cesc Fabregas as their permanent head coach despite the fact the Spanish legend had managed 5 professional games in his life. It was the first time in over 20 years, that the club based in Northern Italy, were to play their football in the Spanish top flight and they were entrusting a rookie to steer them clear of the drop. 

Many followers were dubious of the appointment, but it was hard to not get slightly excited. Como had followed up this appointment by investing heavily in the transfer market - however their transfer strategy was slightly different to what you may typically expect of a newly promoted club aiming to survive and keep up with the big dogs. Instead of experienced players who knew the league, Como went the other way and began to pick up young and exciting talent across Europe who still had very little experience of playing at the highest level. 

You see, Como isn't really an ordinary club. Until 2019, you could say they were - battling it out in the Serie B with a hopeful, yet distant dream of making it back to the Italian promised land. But it all changed when they were taken over by the Indonesian conglomerate Djarum group who possessed a net worth of around 22 billion US dollars. This instantly made Como one of the richest clubs in Europe and the richest in Italy. With this newfound sum of money also came an ambitious project to make Como one of the best teams in the country. President Mirwan Suwarso told euronews ‘’we need to find the right mix of experience, dynamism, intelligence and youth on the field. Players who are not afraid to express themselves.” Explaining that Como are located in one of the most beautiful locations on the continent and in turn, need to provide fans and tourists alike with beautiful football that gets them off their seat.

In Cesc Fabregas, Como have got one of the most exciting young managers in world football to head their project. Moulded and inspired by the minds of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte - Fabregas has the intelligence and necessary experience to become the best of the best. Even in his first full season of being a manager, the Spaniard has shown everyone exactly what he has to offer. Fabregas steered Como to an impressive 10th place finish whilst beating some of the League’s best teams in the process - such as Napoli, Fiorentina and Roma. The style of football his team plays is intense and incredibly versatile. He often changes his set up depending on the side he is facing and can be pragmatic when he needs to be but also play a brilliant, free-flowing style if that’s what the game needs. 

However, to put all the success on Cesc would be unfair, the players and recruitment team need a pat on the back because the job they’ve done is inspiring. The directors and scouts have blessed Fabregas with an array of hungry and talented individuals who can perfectly execute the football he wants to play. Nico Paz - the young Argentinian who we have already written about, is the star of it all. But he’s surrounded by other very exciting prospects such as Assane Diao, Maximo Perrone and Maxence Caqueret were all brought in to bring energy and quality to the side and few could’ve done it as well as they all have. In total, Como spent 97.70 million Euros across the 2024/25 season. Now this is a lot and it’s important to remember that this isn’t a rags to riches story. Como are minted but so far, they have spent their money wisely and in turn have fared a lot better than most of the promoted sides we have seen struggle across Europe in recent years.

Now the problem with Como is the same problem that has hindered nearly all of the young and successful teams of the past. When you start doing so well, the clubs at the pinnacle of European football are bound to come knocking. And when they do knock - it’s hard to get in their way. Como however, are in a unique position where they may be able to combat these knocks due to the money they can offer players, the location and also the project. They can use these same factors to attract some of Europe’s best talents and have already begun to, this season. Martim Baturina and Alex Valle are young stars highly rated in Europe and the  Italian club are also advancing on Real Betis wonderkid Jesus Rodriguez who is a dynamite winger who many expect to become a full-fledged Spanish international. Como’s pull is evident for all to see as they have already been able to bat away Inter Milan who were hoping to appoint Fabregas but to little success.

A brilliant young manager who’s in charge of a young squad filled to the brim with talent. The vibes at Como are insanely high and for me, barring some sort of catastrophe - it’s hard to see them getting any worse than they are now. If we see them challenging for the Champions League spots next season, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The big clubs all have doubts surrounding their future and so it’s the perfect time for Cesc boys’ to pounce. The

Oh, and the Dele Alli redemption arc is already in motion. Just you wait.