Nico Paz, deconstructed
A player out of time, Como's creator is even better than you think
The romantic image of the number 10 remains potent. Many rue their decline; others foretell their extinction. Positional discipline, pressing responsibilities, and decentralised creativity have become increasingly valued, calcifying the traditional profile to the pages of wistful fanfiction.
The sight of Como’s Nico Paz offers a window into history.
Paz glides across the pitch, connecting Como’s attack at his own pace. It’s tempting to watch him and reach deep into your Jonathan Wilson thesaurus, pulling out words like ‘enganche’, ‘la gambeta’, and ‘toco y me voy’. Sure, it’d fit the narrative better if he grew up near the potreros of Buenos Aires and not in Tenerife, as the son of Argentine defender Pablo Paz, but the sight of him in blue and white is bewitching nonetheless.
Upon deeper inspection, there’s much more to Paz than nostalgia. As Guillermo Rai writes for The Athletic, Como’s scouting department reportedly identified him as a ‘modern player’, with “technique, strength and plenty of power in his lower body who could also prove useful with his defending”. In many ways, Paz is a blend of old and new, offering creative quality while contributing to pressing and off-ball work. He’s a chocolate glazed doughnut you don’t need to add an extra mile to your morning jog to compensate for.
Real Madrid wanted him back, but have instead enticed Franco Mastantuono. Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan are both circling as they seek to rebuild. Links to other giants are long-standing. His release clause expires in 2026.
So, in my third newsletter of the summer, I'd like to deconstruct the man out of time who's got Europe so twisted up - and explain why I think he's so much more than just a timeworn image.
