Como defender Trevoh Chalobah sustained a thigh injury during the club’s 3-1 Serie A victory over Fiorentina, raising concerns ahead of their upcoming Champions League match against Manchester United. Chalobah, who joined Como from Chelsea in the summer for £25.7 million, was forced off after just 14 minutes due to the muscle problem.
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas expressed cautious optimism that the injury might not be serious, stating that Chalobah appeared to have stopped playing before the issue worsened. Fabregas said the team would assess Chalobah's condition further in the following days.
Fabregas, a former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder, has encountered new challenges as Como adapts to the demands of competing at the highest levels following their rapid ascent through the Italian football system. Como returned to Serie A after promotion from Serie B, achieving a tenth-place finish in their comeback season and improving to fourth place the following year, which qualified them for the Champions League.
However, the step up to European competition has placed significant physical strain on the squad. Fabregas acknowledged the difficulty of managing the increased schedule, noting the team’s limited preparation time ahead of their latest league fixture and the Champions League engagement. “We must not forget our journey — we came from Serie B and now we play every three days. Everyone has to adapt, even me,” Fabregas said. He also highlighted the challenge of preparing for fixtures against seasoned opponents, explaining that while Como had minimal time to prepare for the match against Fiorentina, their opponents had been focusing on strategies to counter Como for an extended period.
In addition to Chalobah, Fabregas confirmed that other key players are dealing with injuries, underscoring the physical demands placed on the squad during this congested period. The team’s medical staff will be monitoring player fitness closely in the lead-up to their crucial Champions League encounter at home against Manchester United later this week.