To begin this series, it feels fitting to start with one of the best U23 players in the league: Nico Paz. There is always something special about how he plays. A player whom Cesc Fabregas trusts to be the main creator in his Como side. A gifted player whose story began in Spain.
The Real Madrid Academy produces some skillful players, and at times it can be overshadowed by the La Masia of Barcelona; however, it still deserves plenty of respect. The capital side picked him up after he played in the Tenerife youth academy. He started as a centre-back, then moved to centre-forward, then to winger. By the time he went to Real, he was primarily used as a midfielder.
He made a handful of appearances for Madrid, but ultimately it would always be too difficult for him to get regular playing time with the likes of Modric, Tchouaméni, Camavinga and Valverde all ahead of him in the pecking order. By August 2024, Paz was on his way to northern Italy to play under Fabregas.
Paz very quickly established himself in the team; Como needed Serie A quality after being promoted, and they just got that from the Argentine international. When his first season in Italy was finished, he ended with 6 goals and 9 assists, was part of the Team of the Season and was named the best U-23 player at the Serie A 2024-25 awards. This already showed he is serious in the league. Fast forward to this season, and he’s been on fire.
In the last Champions League game, Paz played very well and helped Como beat a struggling Manchester United team, 4-1. All while getting a brace and an assist. His performances have continued into Serie A when Como faced Torino FC. Il Toro was up 1-0, and for a while Como could not break them down. That was until Paz delivered a beautiful cross on the right side of the pitch to fellow La Fábrica product Jacobo Ramon, who headed the ball into the net. The breakthrough for Como was resting on the magic of their Argentine Starboy.
He is always looking to play dangerous passes into the striker, something he demonstrated several times against Torino while trying to find Douvikas. In Serie A, he averages exactly 2.0 key passes per game, but he attempts many more. He is very effective at pressing too, along with the striker and man-marking players. Paz was shadowing their midfielder Braganca for much of the game, trying to disrupt their rhythm. This shows the amount of work Paz puts into the defensive part of his game.
Paz’s frame also helps him shield the ball, especially when receiving a pass under pressure and drawing opponents into committing fouls. Very Paul Pogba-esque.
He dictates the flow of the game with fellow teammates like Luis Milla and Máximo Perrone switching the ball to different sides and making himself available to come short for the ball. The part that separates him from his midfield teammates and most of Serie A is the number of shots he takes per game. Out of the 18 shots by Como in the game versus Torino, 6 were by Paz. He just always tries to find space to take shots. He takes an impressive 4.8 shots per game in the league. That’s more than both Donyell Malen (3.9) and Marcus Thuram (3.7), who have both had terrific starts to the campaign. It’s evident he shoots a lot for an attacking midfielder, but even for a striker too.
By the 75th minute, when Como was still losing, he began to drop deeper to receive the ball and try to create more dangerous opportunities through him. That’s right before he got the assist for Como’s equalizing goal. By the 86th minute, he goes into the box and wins an impressive header to win the game for the Lakeside team. Paz wins 0.8 aerial duels a game, which for his position is also a little unusual, but it gives Como another weapon in the air, one the opposition wouldn’t expect. Attacking midfielders like Dybala (0.2), Cisse (0.3) or Soule (0.3) score low aerial wins, and they are shorter players, but his aerial ability gives Como an additional dimension in attack, particularly when competing for crosses and second balls. It’s an unusual advantage for a player whose game is otherwise built around creativity and technical ability. Paz can look to use his feet or get into the box and wait for a cross.
His energy and skillfulness make him so hard to stop. He’s able to move around all over the pitch to receive the ball, which I’m sure is an important instruction for Fabregas’ team. Paz is completely on free roam instruction when they’re in possession. With the G/A contributions he already has this season and the European games this season for Como, they will need Paz to be at the centre of everything going forward.
There are some weaknesses in his game; however, nothing really major. The fact that he shoots a lot and likes to hold the ball and try and make things happen; at times, he simply tries to do too much. Rather than play simple passes, he may try to dribble by a few players or try a shot and get it blocked. Of course, attempting long-range efforts and taking on defenders is part of what makes him such an exciting player. His willingness to take risks can change a game, but learning when to simplify his decisions could be the next step in his development. That aspect will be taught to him more and more by Fabregas, a creative midfielder in his playing days.
Whether he does go back to Real Madrid or not, even with his teammate Ramon, one thing is clear. The kid from Tenerife has made a huge mark on Serie A and for I Lariani, and who knows how far he will go.
All stats were taken from: http://www.whoscored.com
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