Fabregas: ‘Solid Como project, never say never for my friend Messi’

“I am very happy here and have been from the first day, I always told the club that and I am a very sincere person,” said Fabregas in a press conference.

“I listened to people, but not with the intention of leaving. I never had doubts, I signed a four-year contract and you don’t do that unless you believe in a solid project.”

If there were no doubts, then why did he refuse to confirm he would remain towards the end of last season?

“Antonio Conte didn’t know what he would do either, after the Scudetto win, he said that he would talk to the club. How many times does a coach get replaced after taking a team from Serie B to Serie A? I might not be prepared for the next step up from 10^th place, we cannot know that.

“Are we ready for Europe? Maybe yes, maybe no. We’ll see as we go on, day by day. Como is not a club that buys players to sell them on, we want to grow together.”

Did Fabregas expect to be called with offers from Inter, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig as a coach?

“It was unexpected, because I do not expect anything from anyone. This is a job where you can be a hero after a 4-0 win and a disaster after a 2-0 defeat. You don’t get two years to prove yourself, you have to do well that day, otherwise tomorrow there will always be a doubt.

“This is football, a coach has no time to think. He can only win.”

Como spent over €100m on the transfer market this summer and haven’t finished yet, with Morata set to arrive from Milan via Galatasaray, plus Real Madrid defender Jacob Ramon.

“I want competition for places and those who come off the bench must be able to make the difference, so we have 20 players of similar level for the full 90 minutes.

“Jacob Ramon is close, but you can’t say anything without a signature on the contract. He should arrive by the end of the week.”

It was put to Fabregas that Messi’s wife was in the stands for the pre-season 3-2 friendly victory over Lille, so could the Inter Miami legend potentially come to Como?

“Never say never, he was over at my house for his vacation. We are friends, so are our wives and children. As Ludi said after that match, we cannot say Messi has never played at Como, seeing as his kids are here. But he is in America.”