Cesc Fabregas praised Como's youngsters at his press conference ahead of Saturday's Serie A game with Sassuolo, after the club's Youth League side beat Manchester United. He said the Italian identity Como want for the first team is already visible in the academy.
Como's Youth League side had eight Italians in the starting XI against United, and Como's Under-19 squad for the win included 16 Italian players.
Fabregas on the academy group
Fabregas said: "I’m very happy. Many of the lads arrived this year. They’re strong, they’re Italian, and it’s a similar concept to what we’d like to bring to the first team. They understand our style of play and they’re doing a great job."
Earlier, president Mirwan Suwarso said the club's goal is to one day field a team made up entirely of Italians, ideally all from Lombardy, following the Athletic Club model.
Pathway to the first team
Fabregas said: "We have a short squad, but if you have a long one, you never need to bring anyone up from the academy. Otherwise we wouldn’t have found Cassano, or given chances to Pisati and Baralla, and Papaccioli has come back. It’s all coming from our youth sector."
Ricci's situation
Fabregas was also asked about Samuele Ricci, who joined from Milan in the summer but has struggled for minutes.
Fabregas said: "Everyone will find space. He’s training at a high level, and his chance will come. I like his quality, but above all his mentality since he arrived. He’s always been discreet, humble, smiling and focused on his work. That’s how it should always be, because some young players today get their heads turned. The opportunity can come, as it did for Liberali."