One of Europe’s brightest attacking talents doesn’t even play for a European heavyweight.
Lamine Yamal is the standout teenager on the continent, the Barcelona winger already considered a world class talent. Elsewhere, Real Madrid are able to call upon Arda Guler. PSG have Desire Doue on the books. Chelsea and Liverpool stars Moises Caicedo and Ryan Gravenberch are still only 23 years of age.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Tucked away in northern Italy, on the border of Switzerland meanwhile, is Como. Lake Como is the tourist attraction but it’s their football team that is making waves in Italy. After six games, they sit eighth in Serie A. Having been promoted in 2024, ending a 21-year absence in Italy’s top tier, they performed above expectations to finish 10th, 18 points above the relegation zone.
Under the stewardship of Cesc Fabregas, the Blue and Whites are thriving. And Nico Paz is the leading light. Como are littered with familiar faces on the European circuit. Alvaro Morata, Maxence Caqueret, Sergi Roberto Stefan Posch and Maximo Perrone are all recognised names across the continent. However, it’s Paz who has assumed the role as their star man.
Paz proving Como’s lock picker
The 21-year-old joined from Real Madrid last summer, though Los Blancos have a number of buyback clauses they can trigger over the next two summers. It would be a shock for Paz remain a Como player beyond the end of the season. The Argentine is one of the most promising attacking talents in Europe. Furthermore, Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has relied heavily on the young players at his disposal in their fine start to the season.
Paz would slot in well under the watchful eye of the Spaniard, who has favoured a 4-2-3-1 setup in the opening weeks of the campaign. In the number 10 role, the youngster has created 21 chances, the second-most in Serie A this season, and registered three assists; no player has more of the latter.
With the vision to pry apart defences, it’s this creativity that’ll appeal to Real Madrid next summer when they can next activate the aforementioned clause. What’s more, Paz is a handy ball carrier when he is in possession in dangerous areas. Indeed, he ranks seventh for completed take ons (9) in the 2025-26 Serie A campaign. Since the start of last season, 78 completed take ons is more than any other player. He doesn’t quite operate like a player who stands at 6’1’.
Hard work off the ball drawing attention
The per 90 haul may have dropped, but this can be attributed to Fabregas using Paz centrally more frequently this season. Last season, the attacker alternated between a central and wide role. Now primarily focussed on operating in the hole, Paz has taken his game to another level.
What is equally notable, however, is that while Paz is the main attacking outlet, he still works hard off the ball for his side. Como’s possession haul (57.8%) ranks fifth in Serie A this season, yet Paz is still on hand to help disrupt the rhythm of opponents. A return of 18 tackles is the fifth highest in the division, and just six off stat-leader Patrizio Masini. For context, Masini is Genoa’s designated ball-winner at the base of their 4-2-3-1 setup.
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It’ll be interesting, then, to see how he and Como fare at home against Juventus this weekend. Igor Tudor has typically set his side up in a three-man backline this season. The additional defender means the Old Lady have the third best defensive record in the division. That said, 12.5 shots conceded per 90 is also the ninth most, so they are there to be got at.
Will Locatelli and McKennie shut Paz down?
Furthermore, Paz has favoured home comforts this season, with all three goals and one of three assists coming in three league outings at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. That said, a midfield pair of Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie complement one another superbly. The former operates as the deep-lying playmaker, while the latter brings the energy in a key area. Both qualities will go some way to minimising the Como creator’s impact.
As such, Paz will have his work cut out as he looks to fire Como to another victory. Yet with such impressive movement across the final third and able to find space between the lines, if his teammates can pick Paz out; then he’ll be able to pry apart the Juventus defence this weekend.
Many are already well aware of Paz’s attacking talent and scope to develop further. A top quality showing in Sunday’s welcome of Juventus, though, should significantly boost his reputation. Performing against some of the division’s lesser names is one thing. Doing the business against one of Europe’s most recognisable sides will really set him on the path to superstardom.