Como boss Cesc Fabregas highlighted the extreme intensity of Antonio Conte’s training sessions, saying they often left him close to fainting. The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder played under Conte at Chelsea during the Italian’s spell at Stamford Bridge between 2016 and 2018. Despite the demanding workload, Fabregas described Conte as a great coach.
Como coach Cesc Fabregas believes that Argentine midfielder Nico Paz should not be restricted, describing him as an incredible talent. The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder compared Paz to a magician on the pitch, saying he can pull a trick out of his hat at any moment, which is why he should never be “caged”.
Championship bosses are being urged to snap up free agent Dele Alli and make him the "main man" in their plans. Ex-Premier League star Clinton Morrison, who was briefly at MK Dons during the same time as Dele, has told GOAL why the former Tottenham midfielder should be prepared to take a step back into the EFL after enduring a disastrous stint in Italy with Como.
Former Real Madrid youth player Jacobo Ramon wants to return to his boyhood club one day after first meeting with 'football legend' Xabi Alonso. Ramon left Madrid in the summer to join Como to grow under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas but the 20-year-old is determined to improve his game as he wants to reach the 'Real Madrid level' and return to Santiago Bernabeu someday.
Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo has doubled down on his defence of the controversial plan to stage the AC Milan vs Como clash in Australia. Despite backlash from fans, players and coaches, De Siervo insists the decision is vital for the league’s global growth and has urged FIFA to grant the final approval, claiming the move is an “unpopular but necessary” step for Italy’s football future.
Inter are prepared to spend heavily to sign Nico Paz, the 21-year-old Argentine sensation lighting up Serie A with Como. The Nerazzurri are reportedly ready to table a €58 million bid for the Real Madrid academy graduate, but Los Blancos’ €9m buy-back clause and 50% sell-on stake could derail the deal before it begins.
Cesc Fabregas showed just how much his side’s stunning win over Juventus meant to him as cameras captured the Como boss delivering a passionate post-match speech to his players on the pitch. The Arsenal and Chelsea icon, who has guided the Serie A underdogs to sixth place, was visibly emotional as he told his players that he is “f*cking proud” of them.
Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly looking to leave Manchester United in January after falling out of favour under manager Ruben Amorim. Having made just three Premier League appearances so far this season, the striker is now attracting interest from two Serie A clubs as he aims to boost his chances of making the Netherlands’ squad for the 2026 World Cup by exiting Old Trafford.
Como have issued a statement addressing fans on the sensitive subject of facing AC Milan in a Serie A clash in Australia next year, as they claimed that the clash is for the survival of the league. The match, set for February 2026, will be the first Serie A match held outside Italy. While UEFA reiterated that this approval "should not set a precedent", the move has drawn sharp criticism from players and fans alike.
AC Milan captain Mike Maignan has joined the player backlash against plans to move their Serie A home game against Como to Perth, Australia. The goalkeeper branded the move a mistake driven by finance, echoing Adrien Rabiot's "completely crazy" comments. The criticism comes despite a sharp rebuke from the Serie A chief, as the controversial fixture moves closer to confirmation.
Real Madrid have been told that they can re-sign their youth player Nico Paz 'whenever they want' as Como president reveals their transfer plan. Madrid sold Paz to Como in 2024 but they have the option in the deal to re-sign the wonderkid for €9m in 2026 or €10m in 2027, a fraction of his current market value. Since moving to Italy last year, Paz has thrived under Cesc Fabregas.
FIFA is redrafting its regulations concerning domestic league games played in foreign countries and seeking legal advice on potentially banning them outright, after UEFA reluctantly approved LaLiga and Serie A matches to be played overseas. The games to be played are Villarreal v Barcelona in Miami and AC Milan v Como in Perth.
Dele Alli is taking inspiration from the "I want what's coming to me" mentality adopted by Tony Montana in the iconic Al Pacino film 'Scarface', with the former Tottenham, Everton and Como midfielder working through his latest comeback bid. The 29-year-old finds himself without a club and back in the free agent pool after seeing a forgettable stint in Italian football cut surprisingly short.
Will he or won't he? Lionel Messi has a massive decision to make and, just eight months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, we still don't know whether he'll lead Argentina's title defence. "At my age, it's only logical to think I might not," the 38-year-old told TyC Sports just last month. But, let's face it, there's never really anything logical about Messi's career.
Spain and Como midfielder Jesus Rodriguez praised Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal as “the best player in the world” after joining the national team setup. Speaking about his development under Cesc Fabregas and adapting between Serie A and La Liga, the 19-year-old said Yamal’s talent in training surprised him and called him a “role model” for young players.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong voiced his dissatisfaction with the plan to host their upcoming La Liga fixture against Villarreal in the United States. The Dutch midfielder believes that it is unfair to make the players travel so far for a match in order to boost the commercial profile of Spanish clubs and La Liga.
Adrien Rabiot’s strong criticism of Serie A’s decision to stage AC Milan’s clash with Como in Australia has sparked a fiery response from league CEO Luigi De Siervo. The executive hit back, urging the French midfielder to “respect the money he earns” and “just play football,” defending the move as necessary to promote Italian football globally.
Real Madrid are preparing two key bargain signings for 2026 as part of a long-term squad rejuvenation plan. The Spanish giants are monitoring Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andres, viewed as a potential successor to Aurelien Tchouameni, while also finalising plans to bring back Nico Paz from Como. Both moves could cost under €20 million combined.
Adrien Rabiot has branded Serie A’s plan to stage AC Milan’s league clash with Como in Australia as “completely crazy” and “truly absurd.” UEFA has “reluctantly” approved the move amid global regulatory loopholes, but the Frenchman slammed the idea of flying across continents for domestic matches, calling it “beyond reason.”
Former AC Milan and Juventus coach Fabio Capello believes that while Napoli midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay are both top players with excellent qualities, their skill sets differ and could potentially overlap, leading to an imbalance in the squad. The Serie A champions sit joint-top of the table and picked up a first Champions League win of the season last week, but some doubts over the gelling of the squad remain.
UEFA has approved requests to play two La Liga and Serie A matches overseas, on different continents, despite European football's governing body insisting it is against domestic fixtures being hosted abroad. Supporters infuriated by the news, that includes Barcelona playing an official competitive game in Miami, have now rounded on UEFA to make their feelings known.
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee could be on the move this January, with Serie A side Como reportedly exploring a deal for the Dutchman. Manager Cesc Fabregas’ ambitious project is said to view Zirkzee as an ideal attacking addition, and United are open to either a loan or permanent transfer midway through the current Premier League season.
Dele Alli has reportedly settled an alleged £6,000 debt after a jeweller took to Instagram to publicly call him out over a bracelet that hadn't been paid for. The former Tottenham and Everton star was accused of failing to han over cash in a fiery video by rapper-turned-jeweller Ard Adz, but hours later the situation appeared to be resolved after the one-time England international made the payment.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, has sent a letter to all 55 member federations, warning them that prior approval must be sought before scheduling league matches outside Europe. Describing the matter as sensitive with far-reaching implications, UEFA stressed the need for caution amid plans to host AC Milan vs Como in Australia and Villarreal vs Barcelona scheduled for Miami.