Former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas is now making his first inroads into the managerial game with Como in Italy, where he is also a minority shareholder.
Officially, Fabregas has now been in charge of Como for eight games in the Serie A after the former Arsenal midfielder finally earned his UEFA Pro License.
Fabregas was in charge as caretaker manager in the Serie B last season but wasn’t able to take the job permanently owing to his qualifications at the time, something he quickly remedied.
That being said, after seven games played, Como are sitting 14th in Italy, winning two of their last three games.
Fabregas has been open and honest that Como’s ambition is simply to survive in the top flight this season, a task they’ve begun well.
Arsenal scouts have been in Italy to watch Como star Nico Paz
That being said, according to TBR Football, Arsenal have taken notice of one youngster that’s been thriving at the heart of Como’s efforts, Nico Paz.
The 20-year-old was born in Spain but plays his football for Argentina, an attacking midfielder the club signed from Real Madrid.
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Paz has already provided three assists in six games this season, demonstrating the integral role he’s stepping into.
When signing Paz in the summer, Fabregas said: “He’s an exciting talent, left-footed, great on the wing and in the middle and am looking forward to working with him.”
Arsenal are now reportedly interested in Paz and have watched him alongside Chelsea in the Serie A this season.
Madrid are said to have a buy-back clause inserted in Paz’s contract, but perhaps that wouldn’t dissuade the Gunners from making a move in the future.
Of course, Fabregas will surely be hoping that his old club wait until the end of the season at least should their interest develop further, a player who Como need in their efforts to stay up.
Signing Nico Paz would be the end of the road for Fabio Vieira at Arsenal
With all that considered, Arsenal’s interest perhaps spells bad news for Fabio Vieira, who has been shipped out on loan to FC Porto this season.
After selling Emile Smith Rowe, Vieira leap forward a spot in Arsenal’s pecking order of players to back up Martin Odegaard.
However, with the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri, Vieira was clearly deemed surplus to requirements this year, a player the club needed to get playing.
That being said, perhaps signing Paz wouldn’t necessarily make a lot of sense with Nwaneri in mind too, a player who is evidently ready to play games.
Either way, it’ll be interesting to follow the rest of Paz’s season for Como, just as Arsenal’s scouts are doing.
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