Nico Paz never gets rested, and Fabregas explains exactly why: 'The less you talk to him, the better'

Cesc Fabregas has revealed why Nico Paz is effectively undroppable at Como, describing the Argentine as a player who needs no coaxing — only space to get on with the job.

"You have to know the person and what kind of lad he is. Nico isn't someone who needs to be helped along. The less you talk to him, the better. He has an incredible mentality," Fabregas said at his press conference ahead of Saturday's Serie A meeting with Sassuolo.

The Como coach has worked with Paz for more than two seasons and has watched the midfielder grow into a cornerstone of a side now competing in the Champions League.

"We've been together for more than two years and he has grown enormously. He might even be among the team's top three defenders," Fabregas added.

"That mentality makes the difference before he even competes, and that's why I never take him out."

Paz has been a fixture for Como in Serie A this season, contributing two goals and two assists across seven appearances in the 2026-27 campaign, according to a FotMob player snapshot taken on 22 October 2026.

Injury blows for the Sassuolo visit

Fabregas will have to reshuffle elsewhere, however. Como will be without Assane Diao and Moise Kean for Saturday's game, while Martin Liberali is also unlikely to feature with a minor problem.

The Como boss offered a cautious update on Kean's recovery, saying the forward could return on Tuesday but that he could not guarantee it.

The absences come at a busy moment for Como, who face Sassuolo three days after a 4-1 Champions League thrashing of Manchester United and with their European debut season off to a flying start following a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig and a 3-1 Serie A victory at Fiorentina earlier in the month.