Latest news with #CescFabregas
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Isak, Gyokeres and Ekitike herald a new age of the centre-forward
It's only been a decade since it seemed the centre-forward was being refined out of existence. Spain had won Euro 2012 with Cesc Fabregas as a false nine, and Germany, who largely took Spain as a model, were less than convinced they needed one at the 2014 World Cup. They fielded Thomas Muller as a false-ish nine until the quarter-final, when Jogi Löw finally went back to basics and turned to Miroslav Klose. That he was 36 only seemed to confirm that the old-fashioned No 9 was an old-fashioned phenomenon — a dying breed. Yet this summer, the main interest in the transfer market has been the carousel of strikers. Of course, strikers never entirely disappeared. The four leading scorers in the Premier League in 2014–15 were Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane, Diego Costa, and Charlie Austin. Mauri Icardi and Luca Toni topped the charts in Italy, while Cristiano Ronaldo, his conversion to a No 9 complete, was top scorer in Spain (although that he was followed by Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Neymar suggested a greater variety of goalscorer there). The feeling, though, was that the cleverest football — the most advanced football — involved a central forward who was there at least as much for his movement and ability to link play as for his finishing. The phenomenon of goalscoring wide players — such as Messi at Barcelona, Arjen Robben at Bayern, or Eden Hazard at Chelsea, a mantle which has been taken up today by Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, and Raphinha — meant goals came from a greater array of sources. But while the goalscoring wide forward remains, there has been a return to top-level acceptance for the central striker. Pep Guardiola, the coach who seemed most sceptical of traditional No 9s — never even really seeming entirely convinced by Aguero — perhaps began it when Manchester City signed Erling Haaland. The big Norwegian has caused City to make a significant adjustment to their style. He does not join in play in the way every other Guardiola player does. He does not drop into midfield or pull wide — a creative tension that brought a treble in his first season at the club, but which was perhaps a factor in City's disappointment last season. At the same time, the most common criticism of Arsenal was that they lacked a centre-forward. They needed to play well to win, because they didn't have a player who could pounce on a half chance to steal a victory from a tight game, or at times even convert their good play into goals. Alexander Isak would have seemed a very natural fit for them, but a fee of £120m or more was never within range, and so they have ended up with Viktor Gyokeres. It's a calculated risk given he is 27 and has only really been prolific in the last four seasons — two in the Championship with Coventry and two in Portugal with Sporting — but so long as concerns that he takes too long to get his shot away in crowded situations prove unfounded, he would seem to answer a specific need, even if there are times when Kai Havertz is preferred in that central role. It's Isak, though, who stands at the centre of the great striker shuffle. He is tall and quick, his movement intelligent, and he has proved over the past two seasons a consistent Premier League scorer. It's understandable why Newcastle are so desperate to keep him, but understandable too that he feels undervalued on £120,000 a week/£6.2m a year. He has three years left on his contract, so beyond the fear that he could sulk, there is little reason for Newcastle to let him go. They can insist on a fee of £140m or more — certainly enough to buy a high-class replacement, possibly Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Which is what makes it odd that Isak made his availability public only after Liverpool had signed Hugo Ekitike, who has a similar profile to Isak but, at 23, is far less developed. Chelsea might also have been interested in Isak had they not already bought two centre-forwards in Joao Pedro and Liam Delap. Perhaps, by selling one or both of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, Liverpool could afford him. To sign a second central forward would be a remarkable step for a club where for several years one of the main roles of the center-forward has been to clear the way for Salah. That perhaps suggests change is coming — Liverpool beginning to prepare for life without Salah, who is, after all, 33. But Isak is not an old-school striker. Alan Shearer was perhaps the last of his line, at least at elite level in England. From Marco van Basten onwards, through Andriy Shevchenko and Thierry Henry, forwards have become much more complete figures, combining elements of the target-man, the channel-runner, and the poacher. Isak and Joao Pedro have the full range of skills; Ekitike and Sesko are developing them. Central forwards, with a wider range of attributes than their predecessors, are suddenly fashionable again as football moves into a new age of the striker. Guardian
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lionel Messi to Como? Club president sets the record straight
Lionel Messi The rumor was sparked five days ago by Cesc Fabregas, head coach of Como. Could we really see Lionel Messi donning the colors of the Italian club? The club's top executive has quickly shut down the speculation. A few days ago, Cesc Fabregas inadvertently set off wild rumors about a possible move for Lionel Messi to Como. The Spanish tactician and former World Cup winner's teammate notably stated that 'you should never say never.' However, on Sunday evening, club president Mirwan Suwarso completely dismissed the rumor. 'For me, Messi is not a dream—it's impossible,' he told Sky Sport after his team's victory over Ajax in the Como Cup final (3-0).
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Could Lionel Messi finish career in Italy? Indonesian billionaires eye ‘dream' transfer
The president of ambitious Serie A side Como has said signing Lionel Messi would be a 'dream'. The Argentina captain's contract with Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season and is reportedly in negotiations. Como have the richest owners in Italy in billionaire Indonesian brothers Robert and Michael Hartono, who have ambitious plans. With Cesc Fabregas as manager, they shocked many by finishing 10th following their promotion to the top flight. And club president Mirwan Suwarso, also from Indonesia, outlined the club's vision. 'The brand here is Lake Como and with that, we hope to attract Hollywood stars,' he told La Stampa. 'It's not us who invite them; they come to Como on holiday and ask us if they can come to watch a match.' Cesc Fabregas shouts instructions during Como's friendly against Lille. Photo: AP Keira Knightley, Adrien Brody and Hugh Grant are just some of the A-list Hollywood actors who came to watch Como live last season, while Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo was spotted with their three children during the Italian side's pre-season clash with Lille last weekend.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Como make Nico Paz transfer offer to Real Madrid
Serie A side Como are confident of retaining Nico Paz despite Real Madrid's lingering link to their star man. Paz was linked with a possible return to Madrid last month, as part of Xabi Alonso's ongoing squad rebuild in the Spanish capital, but he opted against an offer. New defenders have been the focus for Alonso, with Alvaro Carreras joining fellow new arrivals Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold – and Franco Mastantuono will land in August – after he turns 18. Carlo Ancelotti opted to sell Paz last summer as he accepted an offer for the highly-rated midfielder from Como for around €6m. However, the club are still keeping their options open on him, as part of a structured exit package with Cesc Fabregas' side. That included three separate buy-back options that would come into effect in 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. Nico Paz's Real Madrid return clause explained The first of those, worth €8m, was triggered at the start of the summer, but as per Sky Sports Italia (via Football Italia), Real Madrid did not activate it before its expiry. Image viaThe situation will be reviewed again in 2026, if Paz maintains his level in Serie A, on the back of a solid first year under Fabregas. The Canarian-born playmaker netted six league goals – with only two Como players scoring more – and eight league assists, bettered only by three players in Serie A. A similar campaign in 2025/26 will keep him firmly on Real Madrid's radar and Mundo Deportivo claim Como want to avoid losing him. Fabregas wants to strike a deal to buy his remaining 50% of rights from Real Madrid – to effectively remove their influence – and delete the two remaining exit clauses. With Real Madrid not losing out as it stands, they could demand at least another €6m to relinquish the 50%, plus an additional payment on the clauses.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Como patron Suwarso on Champions League ambition, Fabregas and Messi dream
Como patron Mirwan Suwarso feels the club is on a 'natural process' towards the Champions League with Cesc Fabregas and admits Lionel Messi would be 'a dream' signing. The team went bankrupt in 2017 and had to start from scratch in Serie D, then was taken over by SENT Entertainment and Djarum in April 2019. They invested heavily and helped Como move all the way up to the top flight after a 21-year absence, securing mid-table comfort in their debut campaign. The ambition doesn't stop here, as the Lariani are targeting even more prestigious objectives, like qualifying for the Champions League. Como aiming for top four in Serie A COMO, ITALY – JULY 18: Head coach Como Cesc Fabregas reacts during the friendly match between Como and Lille at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 18, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by) 'It is not an obsession, we want it to be a natural process,' Como chief Suwarso told La Stampa newspaper via Tuttomercatoweb. 'Atalanta and Bologna set the example, and in the long run we will reduce our investment, making sure it is a sustainable project. 'In Italy you have three different leagues in one: the six best teams, those in mid-table and the others at the bottom.' Among the signs of Como's strength was the ability to resist pressure from Inter and Bundesliga clubs to keep hold of coach Fabregas. 'My rapport with Cesc is excellent, we believed straight away in his vision and status as a great coach. We asked him to improve us not only on the field, but also in terms of mentality. He helped define our identity. 'There were no meetings in June, just a lot of rumours that we laughed off. He spoke to other clubs, but it was just a routine conversation.' FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – MAY 28: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with teammates scoring his team's fourth goal during the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and CF Montréal at Chase Stadium on May 28, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by) Como have made it a habit of inviting big stars into the stands to watch their games, and the most recent figures spotted at the Stadio Sinigaglia were Messi's family. This and the long-standing friendship between Fabregas and his former Barcelona teammate pointed towards a possible shock Serie A move for the Argentine legend, who is in MLS with Inter Miami FC. 'The Messi family were guests of Fabregas and his wife. It would be a dream for him to come here, but why would he leave behind all the money he is earning now? Besides, we have not had any contact with him,' concluded Suwarso.
