No one can deny that Como have spent money, but it has been spent wisely. Just look at Lucas Da Cunha.
Only two years have passed, but it already feels like a long time since Como 1907 arrived in Serie A. In just a short period, Cesc Fàbregas’ side has become one of Italy’s best, finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League last season. The club’s project took another big step on Monday when midfielder Lucas Da Cunha started against Belgium.
Many will have forgotten the splash that Como originally made upon promotion in 2024. Many young players joined, including Nico Paz, but the headliners were established veterans. Spanish duo Alberto Moreno and Pepe Reina were 32 and 41 when they joined from Villarreal. Sergi Roberto, hero of one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history, was 32 and coming off a long stay with Barcelona.
Andrea Belotti and Emil Audero were the notable Italians, although both were arguably past their best when signed after quiet spells with Roma and Internazionale, respectively. The biggest name by far, though, was a French international and World Cup winner: Raphaël Varane.
Varane only played 23 minutes in his debut before leaving with an injury in a Coppa Italia loss to Sampdoria. Nonetheless, it was a signing that announced Como’s intent to compete at the highest level immediately: Varane had still played a prominent role for Manchester United the season before and was a starter for France in Qatar.
Now, two years after Varane’s retirement, nearly to the day, Como have a French international again. It’s not Jonathan Ikoné, who attempted to resurrect his career under Fabregas with a loan from Fiorentina, nor is it Maxence Caqueret, who made an expensive move from Lyon to Italy upon promotion. Instead, it’s Lucas Da Cunha.
Da Cunha has been through more than most Como players. He’s the club’s longest-tenured player, having joined in 2023 from OGC Nice. Only Mauro Vigorito, 36, and Edoardo Goldaniga, 32, played in Serie B alongside him. Da Cunha, by comparison, is only 25.
He wasn’t even a midfielder when he first joined. The 22-year-old was a winger coming off a loan spell with Clermont, but couldn’t break into the Nice squad. For the first half of the 2022/23 season, he failed to make a single appearance, and in January 2023, he made the move to Como.
He initially stayed out wide, but over time, the Frenchman has moved further back, starring in a deeper-lying role in midfield. Last season, he played all but two games, scoring six goals and assisting four while featuring as captain. He’s off to another hot start as Como have won three of five games in the league, also recording a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Having impressed one legendary midfielder turned coach at club level, it’s no surprise Da Cunha was able to do the same internationally. Zinedine Zidane, in his first international window in charge of France, called up the 25-year-old to the squad for the first time ahead of some big names. He was not disappointed.
Da Cunha remained an unused substitute against Türkiye, but started against Belgium. He was just inches away from announcing himself in a big way, striking the post from long range. Les Bleus ultimately won 1-0 thanks to a late Michael Olise winner, and Da Cunha, who played 89 minutes, earned praise for his strong performance.
What’s remarkable is that Da Cunha wasn’t the only Como player in the squad. Teammate Jean Butez was on the bench for both matches, although the 31-year-old was a back-up. He was a backup at Royal Antwerp when Como signed him (although, to be fair, backup to Senne Lammens, who now starts for Manchester United). He’s now one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A.
Neither Butez nor Da Cunha was a marquee signing at the time. Both are now part of an elite national team. Elsewhere, Nico Paz has gone from a potential Real Madrid prospect to an incredibly exciting player and perhaps the new face of Argentina. Marc Oliver Kempf went from Germany’s second division to regularly playing for one of Italy’s best sides.
Of course, Como have a significant financial advantage compared to many other Italian clubs. Few could have shelled out the reported €60 million to keep Nico Paz, per The Athletic. No newly-promoted club could have spent the same money and attracted the same names as Fàbregas did in 2024. Oh, and none could have convinced Fàbregas to coach in the first place.
Still, the money is not the only factor. Nice did not allow Da Cunha to flourish in the same way, and richer, bigger clubs passed on the young winger. Fàbregas and Como did not make the same mistake, and he’s now a French international. Money may have helped attract Da Cunha, Paz, Martin Baturina, and Assane Diao, but it was Como and Fàbregas that turned them into stars.
Critics closer to home are being silenced, too. Como are slowly becoming more Italian in their recruitment, as promised. Samuele Ricci was signed on loan from Milan to offer depth, while Moise Kean, still a regular for the Azzurri, joins from Fiorentina. Mattia Liberali, a 19-year-old forward, showed flashes in preseason after joining from Serie B side Catanzaro.
In 2023, Como were largely unknown. The idea of a Como player earning a call-up to France would have seemed ridiculous. In some ways, it still is strange to see a Como player rubbing shoulders with Real Madrid and PSG stars on the pitch. However, Da Cunha proved he belonged at the top on Monday, and Como are doing the same.
–
Image via equipedefrance (X).
