Following a historic fourth-place finish that delivered Champions League football for the first time in the club’s history, Como enters 2026/27 under Cesc Fàbregas with a significantly strengthened squad, a landmark permanent deal for Nico Paz, and the challenge of balancing European ambitions against Serie A consolidation. This is the definitive guide to the current Lariani squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Cesc Fàbregas
Fàbregas enters his fourth season at the helm and is now the longest-serving manager in Serie A, a remarkable achievement for a coach who only turned 39 this year. The former Spain and Chelsea midfielder has overseen Como’s extraordinary ascent from Serie D to the Champions League, and his continuity provides the tactical foundation upon which the club’s success has been built. Fàbregas has been instrumental in attracting high-profile signings, personally advocating for the arrivals of players like Yan Couto, whom he described as “a brave and technically strong player who gives us different options on the right side”.
Tactical Philosophy
Fàbregas has implemented a 4-2-3-1 structure built on aggressive counter-pressing, a high defensive line, and the creation of numerical advantages around the ball. Como finished first in Serie A for possession last season (61.6%), and their system relies on controlling games through the ball rather than retreating into a low block. Nico Paz is the creative fulcrum, his ability to recover the ball in dangerous areas and weave between the lines making him essential to the attacking structure. The late-season improvement was notable: after a heartbreaking Coppa Italia semi-final defeat to Inter, Como took 20 points from a possible 24, conceding just four goals in the process. The early 2026/27 returns are encouraging: three wins and a draw from their opening four matches, with nine goals scored and four conceded.
Preferred Formations
4-2-3-1 in possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Como’s summer window was defined by ambition and the financial backing of the Djarum Group. The permanent capture of Nico Paz for €60 million from Real Madrid was the landmark deal, securing the Serie A Midfielder of the Season on a long-term contract after his loan spell. The arrivals of Moise Kean and Samuele Ricci added proven Serie A quality, while Trevoh Chalobah’s €30 million move from Chelsea reinforced the defensive core. Yan Couto arrived on loan with an obligation to buy, reuniting with Fàbregas after the coach had tracked him since his Girona days.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nico Paz | Attacking Midfielder | Real Madrid | €60m |
| Trevoh Chalobah | Center-Back | Chelsea | €30m + €3m bonus |
| Moise Kean | Striker | Fiorentina | €10m loan + €25m obligation |
| Samuele Ricci | Central Midfielder | Milan | €1.5m loan + €22.5m clause |
| Yan Couto | Right Wing-Back | Borussia Dortmund | €2m loan + €20m obligation |
| Robert Sánchez | Goalkeeper | Chelsea | Loan (option to buy) |
| Kaiki Bruno | Left-Back | — | Undisclosed |
| Andrés Cuenca | Center-Back | Barcelona | Undisclosed |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Jean Butez (#1): The French goalkeeper began the season as Fàbregas’s first choice but faces competition following the arrival of Robert Sánchez. Butez’s shot-stopping and composure with the ball at his feet suit Como’s build-from-the-back approach, though the Spanish international’s arrival signals an intent to upgrade in the position.
Robert Sánchez (#97): The Spanish goalkeeper arrived on loan from Chelsea after losing his starting spot to Emiliano Martínez. At 28, Sánchez brings Premier League experience and a commanding 6’5″ frame, with Como holding an option to buy. His distribution quality and shot-stopping offer a significant upgrade as the club prepares for Champions League football.
Mauro Vigorito (#22): The experienced Italian goalkeeper provides reliable backup coverage, his familiarity with Serie A and professionalism valued within the goalkeeping group.
Defenders
Marc Oliver Kempf (#2): The German centre-back remains a commanding presence in Como’s defensive line, his physicality and aerial dominance providing the steel required for Fàbregas’s high defensive line. He was in the process of renewing his contract during the summer.
Trevoh Chalobah (#99): The English defender arrived from Chelsea for €30 million plus bonuses, signing a contract until 2031. His physical profile and Premier League experience make him ideally suited to Fàbregas’s demanding defensive structure. Chalobah’s arrival was secured despite competition from Inter, with Como agreeing a salary of €3.6 million per season.
Jacobo Ramón (#4): The young Spanish centre-back has established himself as a first-team regular, scoring in the season opener against Parma. At just 21, his composure and ball-playing ability suggest a bright future under Fàbregas’s guidance.
Alberto Dossena (#13): The Italian centre-back provides additional depth and physical presence, his Serie A experience valuable within a squad balancing youth and veterans.
Edoardo Goldaniga (#18): The experienced defender offers reliable rotation coverage across the backline, his professionalism adding stability to the defensive group.
Willy Kambwala (#53): The young French defender continues his development within Como’s first-team environment, gaining valuable exposure to Fàbregas’s demanding system.
Yan Couto (#27): The Brazilian wing-back arrived on loan from Borussia Dortmund with an obligation to buy, bringing Bundesliga and Champions League experience. Fàbregas had tracked Couto since his Girona days, and his attacking thrust and energy on the right flank add a new dimension to Como’s build-up play.
Kaiki Bruno (#16): The Brazilian left-back arrived as a replacement for Alberto Moreno, with Fàbregas praising his aggressive defending while acknowledging ongoing work on his ball-playing. His goal against Parma demonstrated his attacking threat from wide areas.
Álex Valle (#3): The young Spanish full-back provides additional depth on the left flank, his development continuing within a competitive defensive rotation.
Midfielders
Máximo Perrone (#5): The Argentine midfielder has become a key figure in Como’s engine room, his tactical intelligence and press-resistance providing the platform for Fàbregas’s possession-based approach. His assist for Kaiki’s goal against Parma showcased his creative contribution from deep positions.
Lucas Da Cunha (#7): The French midfielder wears the captain’s armband and embodies the competitive spirit Fàbregas has cultivated. His energy and progressive passing make him indispensable within Como’s structure.
Samuele Ricci (#14): The Italian international arrived from Milan on loan with a €22.5 million purchase clause, adding proven Serie A quality to the midfield. Ricci’s composure and tactical discipline offer a different dimension to the more dynamic Perrone and Da Cunha.
Maxence Caqueret (#8): The French midfielder provides press-resistance and tactical intelligence in the double pivot, his ability to receive under pressure and progress the ball through central zones making him a valuable rotation option.
Luis Milla (#6): The experienced Spanish midfielder arrived as a profile Fàbregas had tracked since January. Described as a leader who brings “balance and organisation,” Milla’s composure and passing range provide experienced cover in central areas.
Nico Paz (#10): The crown jewel of Como’s project and the Serie A Midfielder of the Season. Paz’s permanent arrival from Real Madrid for €60 million was the defining moment of the summer, rejecting a return to his boyhood club to remain in Lombardy. His 21 goal contributions last season only scratch the surface of his influence; Paz’s ability to recover the ball in dangerous areas and weave between the lines makes him the creative heart of Fàbregas’s attack.
Martin Baturina (#20): The Croatian playmaker attracted a €55 million offer from Aston Villa during the summer, which Como rejected. At 23, Baturina’s creativity and technical quality offer a different dimension to Paz, and his market value has more than doubled since arriving from Dinamo Zagreb.
Mattia Liberali (#30): The young Italian attacking midfielder arrived from Catanzaro as part of Como’s investment in high-potential youth. At 19, his development under Fàbregas’s guidance will be closely monitored.
Forwards
Anastasios Douvikas (#9): The Greek striker remains a reliable option in the attacking line, his movement and finishing instincts providing competition for the centre-forward role. He faces a significant challenge from Moise Kean’s arrival.
Moise Kean (#90): The Italian international arrived from Fiorentina on a loan deal with an obligation to buy, adding proven Serie A goalscoring to Como’s attack. Kean’s 19-goal season with Fiorentina two years ago demonstrated his quality, and his desire to play Champions League football made Como an attractive destination. He forced the move by skipping training, underlining his commitment to the project.
Assane Diao (#11): The young Spanish winger has contributed two goals this season, his direct running and creativity from wide areas offering a constant threat. At 21, his development alongside Paz and Baturina forms part of Como’s exciting attacking core.
Jesús Rodríguez (#17): The Spanish forward provides additional attacking depth, his energy and movement offering a different profile to the more physical Kean and Douvikas.
Jayden Addai (#42): The young Dutch forward adds further depth to the attacking options, his development continuing within Fàbregas’s squad.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Lucas Da Cunha
The French midfielder wears the armband and embodies the standards Fàbregas demands. Da Cunha’s energy and commitment set the tone for a squad that has embraced its coach’s demanding principles.
The Leadership Committee
Luis Milla and Máximo Perrone serve as senior voices alongside Da Cunha, their combined experience providing essential guidance within a youthful squad. Milla was specifically signed for his leadership qualities, described as “one of those who can bring balance and organisation”.
Homegrown Quota Check
Como faces a unique challenge in satisfying UEFA’s squad requirements. Fàbregas admitted: “Because we don’t yet have a youth academy capable of providing certain things, we’ll find ourselves in the Champions League with only a squad of 16-17 players”. The club signed Italian goalkeeper Tommaso Vischi for the youth academy over the summer, part of a longer-term strategy to develop homegrown talent.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
Como’s spending power is underpinned by the Djarum Group, the Indonesian tobacco conglomerate that has funded the club’s ascent from Serie D to the Champions League. The €60 million permanent deal for Nico Paz represents the club’s ambition, while the creative structuring of the Kean, Ricci, and Couto deals as loans with obligations to buy provides short-term financial flexibility.
Contract Red Alerts
Securing Nico Paz on a permanent deal was the defining success of the summer. The club’s ability to reject Aston Villa’s €55 million offer for Martin Baturina demonstrates a new financial resilience, but maintaining that stance will be tested if the squad continues to overperform.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Mattia Liberali (#30) arrived from Catanzaro as one of Italy’s most promising young attacking midfielders. Tommaso Vischi joined the youth academy from Monza, described by Head of Development Osian Roberts as “an exceptionally talented young goalkeeper who combines modern distribution skills with impressive authority”.
Notable Out on Loan
Como’s focus on immediate first-team integration for the new arrivals means the loan tracker is less prominent, with the squad assembled for competitive contribution across Serie A and the Champions League.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Nico Paz (First Choice) / Moise Kean (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Nico Paz / Martin Baturina.
Corners & Crosses: Nico Paz / Lucas Da Cunha.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Como enters 2026/27 as one of the most fascinating propositions in European football: a club that has risen from bankruptcy and Serie D to the Champions League in just seven years, backed by the richest owners in Italian football and guided by a coach who has grown into one of Serie A’s most respected tacticians.
The early-season evidence suggests Como have not merely survived their step up in class but thrived. Ten points from four matches, including a 2-1 victory at Napoli, have placed them among the early pacesetters. Nico Paz’s permanent arrival secured the creative heart of the team, while the additions of Kean, Ricci, and Chalobah address the squad depth concerns that Fàbregas had identified.
The challenges ahead are substantial. The Champions League’s demands will test a squad that Fàbregas admitted may number only 16-17 players due to UEFA list limits and the absence of a mature academy pipeline. The defensive vulnerabilities that occasionally surfaced last season — particularly the collapse against Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final — remain a work in progress. Fàbregas’s teams defend by keeping possession, and when the level of competition rises, there are stretches where control proves elusive.
But the ingredients for a successful campaign are present. Paz’s creativity unlocks defences. Kean’s goalscoring pedigree provides a reliable attacking focal point. Chalobah and Kempf offer defensive solidity. And Fàbregas’s tactical clarity has already transformed Como into a side that presses aggressively, dominates possession, and attacks with purpose. The Lariani faithful, who have witnessed their club’s remarkable ascent, are now dreaming of European nights at the Sinigaglia. If Como can maintain their momentum and navigate the unique challenges of a first Champions League campaign, this could be the season that establishes them as a genuine force in Italian football.
