Como manager Cesc Fabregas, whose team has made a strong start to the Serie A season, has stated that Senegalese star Assane Diao should not go to the AFCON.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona legend described the young player’s participation in the tournament as “illogical.”
Diao moved to Italy last January after spending a season and a half at Real Betis, and he quickly became a key part of Fabregas’ squad. Last season, despite being only 19 years old, he delivered an impressive performance with eight goals and one assist in 15 matches.
Towards the end of the season, the winger suffered a broken foot, causing him to miss both the final stretch of last season and the beginning of this one. After returning to the team in October and being gradually reintegrated, he was called up again by the Senegal national team this month—only to get injured once more and return to Italy.
The 20-year-old is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that will sideline him for a few matches. Although Fabregas has shared a possible return date, he does not want Diao to rejoin the Senegal camp so close to the tournament, which begins on December 21.
Having lost only one league match so far, Como plans to request permission from the Senegalese federation to keep the player in Italy so he can regain full fitness and support the team’s push for consistency.