Nico Paz and Como enjoyed a flying Champions League debut last month. The Italian powerhouse claimed a resounding 4-1 win over European regulars RB Leipzig, with Paz the star performer in Northern Italy.

The Argentine creator provided a brace of assists from two chances. He completed four take ons and managed five tackles in a stunning home showing. It’s par for course for Paz. The Como star has been their best player across the last 18 months.

When he moved to Como back in 2024, few could have foreseen the 22-year-old making such a significant impact. He scored six times and provided eight assists in his debut Serie A campaign. The youngster followed that up with 12 goals and six assists for Cesc Fabregas’ side last season, proving to be the poster boy for their European qualification.

As such, interest in his services was understandably high. Como retained Paz, despite Real Madrid’s buy-back clause, as the Serie A outfit parted with €60m for the pleasure. Los Blancos still have an €80m option to bring him back to Spain next summer.

Paz lighting up Serie A

Until then, Paz will have the opportunity to light up Italian football. And he’s been doing just that this season. On his eighth appearance of the campaign, Paz scored his third goal and provided his third assist of 2026/27 as Como eased to a 3-1 win at Torino in midweek. It comes after a two-goal contribution in the 3-1 victory at Fiorentina earlier this month.

Naturally, his showings have caught the eye of Premier League suitors. Manchester United recently witnessed the attacker’s fine form up close in the Champions League. Indeed, he scored twice and registered one assist in a 4-1 home success over Michael Carrick’s side. Of course, United have been credited with an interest in Paz as a potential long-term replacement for captain Bruno Fernandes. Capital duo Arsenal and Chelsea are said to be monitoring his situation. 

Unsurprisingly, Como have no intention of cashing in on Paz in the New Year. Fabregas’ side are going strong both domestically and continentally. They are currently fourth in Italy’s top tier following Tuesday’s Turin triumph, a result that extended their Serie A winning run to three matches ahead of the welcome of table footers Venezia. Selling Paz at a key stage of the season would see them lose one of their key cogs.

Vital to Como's dominance

They dominate proceedings in Serie A, with a 61.6% possession haul the second best in the league. As one might expect from a Fabregas-managed side, they want to dictate the tempo, and they do so to a high standard. A 90% pass accuracy is second to Inter Milan in Serie A this season, with Paz essential to the way they control the play.

This is evident by a fine 88.9% pass accuracy, a haul that is incredibly high for an attacking player. So, too, is a return of 56.2 passes per 90. While he is tasked with prying apart opposition defences, Paz is able to link up the play effectively for Como. It means that The Blue and Whites are able to maintain pressure in a key area without, essentially, needing to force the issue.

That’s not to say they don’t test the opposition goalkeeper where required, with 20.4 shots per 90 the second most. And Paz is vital here when it comes to attempting to get the better of an opponent. After all, the Argentina international is top for shots (41) in the 2026/27 Serie A campaign. 15 chances created is also among the top 20. He’ll retain possession where required, but do everything in his power to put his side in front.

Off the ball work key

What’s important, though, is that Paz isn’t merely a luxury player. One who’ll do little off the ball, which in turn would see Fabregas’ gameplan fall apart. On the contrary, Paz is an attacker who helps to defend from the front. It means Como are able to quickly turn defence into attack, evident in that they rank fourth for shots following a counter attack (13). And Paz is essential in Como’s high press coming to fruition.

The attacking star ranks top for tackles (24) in Serie A this season. He’s only been dribbled past four times, returning an 85.7% tackle success rate in the process. When Paz commits to a challenge, he’s likely to rob an opponent of the ball and either come away with possession, or, at the very least, ease the pressure on the Como goal.

Interest in Paz’s services is understandably high ahead of the January transfer window. He’s the in-form player in Serie A, and has played a central role in Como’s start to the season in both Serie A and the Champions League. The Italian giants, though, will rebuff any offers for their prized forward. Why, in their right mind, would they cash in on the best player in Italy in January?