Fabregas: Conte’s training was tough, Dybala & Soulé stand out | OneFootball

Cesc Fabregas, now the coach of Como, gave a long interview to La Provincia di Como in which he analyzed various aspects of his football, praised some talents of Serie A, and recounted his past as a player under the guidance of Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

Como, Fabregas: “Conte's training sessions were exhausting. Paz, Dybala, and Soulé have unique skills. Italiano? I like him for his courage”

An intervention rich in technical content and direct testimonies, useful for understanding the philosophy, ambitions, and references of the Spanish coach.

“Paz is pure talent: like Dybala and Soulé, he can create at any moment”

Fabregas spoke enthusiastically about Nico Paz, one of the emerging stars of Como: “Paz is strong because he pulls a trick out of the hat. He does amazing things, not confined. He, Dybala, Soulé... but also a full-back like Dani Alves. They are players who make a move, and you can only applaud.”

A judgment that unites three technical profiles capable of altering the balance of a match in an instant, thanks to qualities outside the traditional scheme. For Fabregas, creativity remains an absolute value: a talent to protect, not to limit.

“Our training sessions? Short but intense. Those coming from Italy are surprised”

Moving on to his way of working at Como, Fabregas explains: “Those coming from Italian teams are surprised: ‘Coach, but aren't we going to run?’. We conduct short but intense training sessions, focused on situations that repeat in matches.”

A philosophy that favors quality, rhythm, and application rather than prolonged load volumes. The Spaniard confirms his methodological consistency even in important moments: “I never change my ideas.”

This is also confirmed by the playful exchange with Pisacane after Como-Cagliari: two young coaches, both with a proactive idea of football, who interpreted the challenge differently.

“Italiano has courage, Gasperini a unique mentality. Chivu is growing a lot”

Fabregas also focused on some coaches he follows with interest:

on Vincenzo Italiano: “I like him a lot for his courage”;

on Gian Piero Gasperini: ideal for game and mentality;

on Cristian Chivu: “He is doing very well.”

The Como coach also mentions the formative meetings at Coverciano, where several colleagues shared approaches and ideas: “Di Francesco said interesting things.”

“With Conte, I was about to faint: his training sessions were very tough”

The passage about his time at Chelsea under Antonio Conte is one of the most intense in the interview. Fabregas recalls that biennium: “A great man. I like him a lot, but his training sessions were exhausting. In the end, I had to lean on a teammate because I was about to faint from fatigue.”

A story that confirms Conte's reputation as a demanding coach, known for rigorous physical preparation and a daily intensity that many players have described as “at the limit.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.