Fabregas on Nico Paz absence and pleading with Vanoli at Chelsea in 2017-18

Cesc Fabregas explains why Nico Paz is not in the starting XI for Como against Torino today and reveals when Chelsea players would plead their case with Paolo Vanoli to convince Antonio Conte.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

There were some surprises in the starting line-up, because while Alberto Dossena is out of action for the rest of the season following knee surgery, Real Madrid owned starlet Nico Paz is only on the bench.

Fabregas on Como present and Chelsea past

“Nico Paz practically didn’t train at all this week, he felt pain in the calf, he did better yesterday and could play in the second half, but I don’t want to take any risks,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia.

Como’s form has surged since the January transfer window, when they brought in new players including Maxence Caqueret, Jonathan Ikone and Assane Diao.

“We wanted players who could make the difference in the final third, it’s true that we play well and don’t finish off those chances, so that’s why we signed Caqueret and Ikone in January. Assane Diao also has potential and is growing. We need to improve, but we want to play good football,” noted the coach.

Fabregas is reunited with Torino coach Vanoli, who was Conte’s assistant manager at Chelsea. Are there any anecdotes about the rapport the players at that time had with Vanoli and Conte?

“I remember when we didn’t like something and wanted to convince Conte to change it, we’d go to Vanoli and ask Paolo, please help us!” laughed Fabregas

“He’s a lovely guy and a great coach, I saw his Venezia last season in Serie B, I really like his vision of football. I still hope we win, though.”