Why Real Madrid Want Nico Paz Back and Where Will He Fit In Xabi Alonso’s Plans

Nico Paz’s scintillating performances with Como have not gone unnoticed, with former employers Real Madrid eager to bring him back to the Spanish capital – but is that the best move for the 21-year-old?

We look at why Los Blancos want him, the stiff competition he faces upon his return, and whether the move will benefit him.

Why Real Madrid Want Nico Paz Back

After a breakout year that saw Nico Paz named Serie A’s Young Player of the Year, he has continued to establish himself as one of the finest midfielders in Italy. The Argentine has the most goal contributions in the first 12 games of the league season and is also the league’s joint top scorer (5) and assist maker (4).  

Most Serie A Goal Contributions after 12 games
Player	Club	Total
Nico Paz	Como	9
Christian Pulisic	AC Milan	7
Domenico Beradi	Sassuolo	7
Ange-Yoan Bonny	Inter	7
Hakan Calhanoglu	Inter	6
Federico Dimarco	Inter	6
Riccardo Orsolini	Bologna	6
Nicolo Cambiagi	Bologna	6
Lautaro Martinez	Inter	6
Matias Soule	Roma	6

Nico Paz’s Playstyle

Paz is the kind of fleet-footed creative fulcrum that most clubs dream of having. Como’s left-footed number 10 has tremendous technical ability, allowing him to operate across the midfield with relative ease – whether in a wide position or centrally.

Paz’s in-game IQ is well beyond his years, and Como’s manager Cesc Fabregas has given him the license to roam where he deems fit. Not only has this spotlighted Paz’s ability to identify lethal pockets of space to pick out a pass, but his late arrivals into the box have seen him rack up goals at a consistent rate this season.

Though he mainly plays in the middle, he can also play on the right, and that is where you will often find him when Como are progressing the ball up the pitch. 

Do Real Madrid Need Another Attacking Midfielder?

Many may be puzzled as to why Real Madrid would want another young, left footed, attack-minded midfielder, when they already have those traits in abundance in Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono. 

Madrid inserted a buyback clause of just £8.78 millionafter he departed the Bernabeu in 2024 to join Cesc Fabregas’ side. That will almost certainly turn out to be an astute piece of business considering Paz was linked with a £70 million move to Spurs this summer.

What makes Paz unique to most attacking midfielders is his tireless work out of possession. Como’s star man averages 3.0 tackles per game in Serie A, more than Guler (1.5) and Mastantuono (1.3) have combined in LaLiga.

That will no doubt appeal to Xabi Alonso, who demands positional discipline from all of his players in his out-of-possession structure.

Will a move to Real Madrid be beneficial to Nico Paz?

Though Paz has the potential to be a Real Madrid great, there is a risk that his career might stall given the immense attacking options Xabi Alonso has at his disposal. Guler and Mastantuono are only the tip of the iceberg with Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo all being able to play in Paz’s preferred positions. 

There is no better way for a promising attacking player to develop than being the talisman for a club like Como, a hugely ambitious club with a manager praised for his man management. But after continuing his world-beating form this season, it is not hard to see why Madrid are eager to exercise their buy-back option.

Due to the clause in his contract, it is almost a certainty that he will be returning to the Spanish capital next year, to a club who are perhaps least in need of his profile. This may not seem ideal for Paz, but given his talent and his desire to succeed at his boyhood club, those who have watched him in Italy will not be surprised if he lights up the Bernabeu.