Kosovar footballer Mërgim Vojvoda revealed that Cesc Fàbregas asked him to join Como 1907, where the Spaniard is the coach — and he did it during halftime of a match between Como and Torino last season!

“He called me over and while we were walking through the tunnel at Torino’s stadium, he said, ‘Do you want to come with us? I like the way you play.’ I was in shock, I kind of stammered. He asked me if I liked their playing style. I said yes, and he told me he wanted to bring me to Como,” the player told Belgian newspaper DH Les Sports.

Between renewing and Como’s interest

At the time, Vojvoda was still under contract with Torino, which was set to expire in June, and he was negotiating a renewal. However, “things got complicated” and that’s when Fàbregas’ interest came into play. The player expected a formal offer to come in the summer, but weeks went by with no news.

“I kept playing for Torino, and they came back with another renewal offer, but I turned it down because I felt they should’ve done it without hesitation. Then, two days before the transfer window closed, my agent told me Como wanted me right away. So I didn’t think twice. I liked their style of play, and when Fàbregas talks to you like that, it’s hard to say no,” explained the former Standard Liège player.

Fàbregas, a coach with a unique style

Now 30, Vojvoda says he’s much more comfortable with Fàbregas’ tactics. “At Torino, I used to play on the side of a back three — I was way less offensive. With Fàbregas, we play with a back four, it’s more attacking. It feels like I’m back in my Mouscron or Standard days, playing as a proper right or left full-back,” he explained.

Talking about the Spanish coach’s style, Vojvoda was clear: “He’s got a big personality, and you learn a lot from him. His style is very Spanish — he loves to keep possession, teaches you how to move, play quick, look forward. All that helps you make better decisions on the pitch. He’s helped me improve a lot in that sense, and I’m genuinely happy to be here with him.”