Key Takeaways:
- Como secured Champions League qualification with a top-four finish in Serie A
- Cesc Fabregas affirmed his commitment to Como through the 2026-27 campaign and has already begun preparations for next season
- Fabregas expressed the club’s desire to retain Nico Paz, voted best midfielder in Serie A for 2025-26, despite Real Madrid holding a re-signing option valid until June 2027
Como Begins Early Preparations for Champions League Challenge
Cesc Fabregas has made it clear that his focus remains firmly on Como’s historic Champions League campaign next season, as he revealed during the club’s open-top bus celebrations marking their remarkable top-four finish. The achievement has surpassed most expectations given that, despite significant transfer investment, Como only possessed the 11th-largest wage bill in Serie A.
Fabregas, who confirmed he will remain at the Stadio Sinigaglia until the end of the 2026-27 season, stated that he and the club hierarchy, including the President and director, have already commenced building a new mentality and strategic plan for the upcoming, more demanding season. He emphasised that the club’s accelerated growth over the past two and a half years has raised expectations, but also cautioned that the Champions League presents a stiffer challenge – warning that lack of preparation could result in heavy defeats.
🇮🇹 Serie A Player of the season – Nico Paz ⭐️@Como_1907 | #Como1907 pic.twitter.com/uURlxzBT3X
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 25, 2026
Nico Paz at the Heart of Como’s Ambitions
A key component of Como’s plans is midfielder Nico Paz, who just completed his second season with the club and was honoured as Serie A’s best midfielder for the 2025-26 campaign. Although Como own Paz, Real Madrid retain an option to re-sign the 21-year-old Argentine until June 2027, while Inter have also long admired the youngster. However, Fabregas reiterated that the club is keen for Paz to remain at Como, underlining his importance to the team’s growth and transition to competing at the highest European level.
Previously, Fabregas indicated that Paz would feature either for Como or return to Real Madrid for the 2026-27 season, ruling out a move elsewhere. Speaking on the future, Fabregas commented: “He’s a very important player for our growth. We’ve grown with him, and he’s grown with us. It’s an important match, let’s see what happens, but we want him to stay.”
| Player | Season | Serie A Appearances | Awards | Contract/Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nico Paz | 2025-26 | 35 | Best Midfielder in Serie A | Como ownership; Real Madrid re-sign option until June 2027 |
Outlook for Como’s Champions League Campaign
Having secured their place among Europe’s elite, Fabregas and Como now face the challenge of sustaining their growth while adapting to the rigours of Champions League football. Leadership figures at the club appear determined to strengthen the squad’s mentality and cohesion moving forward, with continuous learning and adaptation central to their strategy.
