Ambitious Fabregas reveals precious Arteta advice before Como job

Cesc Fabregas is not hiding Como’s Champions League ambition as they visit Udinese and reveals the advice he received from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. ‘I wasn’t sure I was ready.’

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The Lariani are three points clear of Juventus and Roma in fourth place, and hope to expand that further when they visit Udinese on Monday at 11.30 UK time (12.30 CEST).

A run of five consecutive victories saw them surge up the standings towards what would be an extraordinary Champions League qualification.

Fabregas and Como not holding back

“Udinese are one of the most physical teams in Serie A, I like them and you can see how well they are working, so we must be very precise and keep a high tempo,” said Fabregas in his press conference.

“The Champions League place depends on us. We are here, we know who we are and what we want to achieve. In this league, you need to play at a certain level if you want to win any game.”

Some changes are forced, as Jesus Rodriguez sustained a knee injury, joining long-term absentee Jayden Addai on the treatment table, while Jacobo Ramon is not at 100 per cent either.

“This team has grown in mentality and has more options available, has become more mature and consistent. I always ask us to go at full pelt, that has to be our mentality,” noted Fabregas.

“A red card, a penalty, many things can happen, but we have to keep a positive attitude.”

Como are also in the Coppa Italia semi-final after the first leg with Inter ended 0-0, so it is turning into an extraordinary campaign for a side that was in Serie B just two years ago.

It all prompted the Bearzot Award for coaching to Fabregas, who is already being associated with jobs at clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea.

“I want to grow. I will not be the same coach in 8-10 years as I am today, just as I am not the same now as I was when I started two years ago. I feel ready for anything, that is why I have no doubts on myself.

“This is what a leader has to do, convince a player to do one thing rather than another. I know that I must improve in certain areas, but we have paved the way, we just need to knock down that wall, keep winning and doing so convincingly.

“That also means at times enjoying the pressure, even if it’s not what we are working for.”

Fabregas also reveals he had some intriguing conversations with colleagues and former teammates before starting the Como job.

“I had spoken to Arteta and said I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this. He told me: ‘We are so competitive, that even if you are not ready, your urge to be competitive will push you to find solutions and give you that vision.’

“I can say that two years later, he was right. My staff helped with advice, but at the end of the day, I am the one who has to talk, to make decisions, to feel it within me. A coach has to be ready.”

Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup prompted some to criticise clubs for not using Italian players, and Como are the worst offenders here, playing an Italian for one minute in Serie A this season.

“Obviously there are Italian players I like, but they are at Juventus, Inter, etc. I always liked Manuel Locatelli, while obviously I like Marco Palestra. The trouble is that if you go and ask for Palestra, they want €40m.

“I understand that we don’t have many Italians right now, but we did two years ago. We must all make our choices at the right time. There are many young players at the moment, we started from scratch two years ago, this is a different phase.”