The Como of miracles (or almost) told in a long interview (we offer it to you in full) by Francesco Guerrieri for “Calciomercato.com.” The kids in question are NIco Paz and Diao who, together make 39. Everything revolves around them. Insights of the management and Cesc Fabregas, who with his careful and precise work is bringing in a team built with a mix of youth and experience studying the smallest detail. Paz and Diao arrived in Como five months apart; today a glance is enough to understand each other. And between goals, assists and dribbles they are leaving everyone speechless.
Interview with Como ds Carlalberto Ludi rewinds the tape and tells us about those two negotiations with Real Madrid and Betis Sevilla.
How did the idea of going after Nico Paz in the summer come about?
“Several elements dovetailed: at the base is the work with the data, to which we have people working in depth to make an initial skimming of players. Then there is the scouting work, and in that case everyone had approved the purchase of Nico Paz, supported also by former Groningen ds Mark-Jan Fledderus who works a lot on the foreign market.”
Then Fabregas ‘took the field’.
“The intervention of Cesc and the president were decisive. Today players before moving to a club ask to speak with the coach to understand what kind of tactical idea there is about him, it is the normal evolution of the market.”
Was there a lot of competition for Nico?
“Yes, lots of interest. We were not in the front row, but we were the most convinced to get him. In some operations we should also emphasize the courage it takes to close them: it is one thing to see Paz today, different to imagine him at the center of a technical project when he was playing in Castilla in July.”
Did you expect such an impact?
“Seeing the performance data we had no doubts, we were sure he would do well in Serie A. The environmental aspect was a question mark, but our goal is to create an environment conducive to the player’s growth.”
You have succeeded. And not only with Nico.
“In two market sessions we took 21 players by selling 28.”
What was the negotiation that brought Paz to Como?
“Quite straightforward, it lasted 10 days. As a first move we made a pass with Real Madrid to understand their plans for the player, the moment they opened to the transfer we initiated contacts with the agent. Once we got the yes of the player, his family and the attorney, the negotiation of conditions with Real started.”
Diao is the other knockout blow.
“It was very similar to Nico Paz: again we started with data to see numbers and statistics, the key is to be able to read them based on the type of player you need. Then there was the scouting work to get an opinion of the player versus processing the data.”
Taken outright for 11 million plus 20 percent on future resale: again, there was a good dose of courage.
“Many took us for fools because he was a player who had no continuity in Spain, but we were all aligned on the operation. You had to have courage to take him, then the coach’s confidence was needed, and probably to grow further there will also come a time when he will have to move on from less positive performances.”
How long have you been following him?
“Fortunately, we have a scouting area that works 12 months a year and monitors the most interesting players for our model of play; then, when we are close to the market, we figure out how to operate. Diao we have known for some time, in late December we started scouting.”
Was it a complicated negotiation?
“Less straightforward than the one for Nico Paz, because negotiating with Betis Sevilla was not trivial: at first they did not want to give him up, we struggled to find conditions, and the door opened and closed several times. Also, transfers in the winter market are never easy, it’s a very short and dense window, a player struggles to change countries mid-season.”
You never gave up, though.
“I don’t know if there was competition, but we always felt that we were in a position to do the operation. Even when the negotiation was getting more complicated.”
Is there any club that has already come forward?
“No one has come forward, but the club’s will is to invest in young people and continue the path together.”
How difficult will it be to resist any assaults from top clubs in the summer?
“When we take a player, the first step is to get him acclimatized in the best possible way, because the right context can facilitate the development of talent but conversely there is a risk of inhibiting it. Once the growth process begins, we need to figure out with what arguments to continue the project with a particular player despite interest from other clubs. And this, eventually, we will find out in the coming months.”
Can you name another hidden talent in Como’s roster?
“It is impossible to name just one, we are very happy with our youngsters: from van der Brempt to Valle, who even though he is on loan has had a fantastic approach. Maxi Perrone is a fundamental player for us, he is still too little mentioned but he has great qualities: he looks like Cesc’s mind on the pitch; Da Cunha is playing great in his new role thanks to Fabregas’ intuition, Strefezza’s championship is amazing for football intelligence and ductility.”
The post This is how the Como that makes fans dream, Ludi tells about the arrival of Nico Paz and Diao: “Scouting and numbers….” appeared first on CiaoComo.
