Mark-Jan Fledderus has commented on the arrival of Jayden Addai at Como. The nineteen-year-old forward recently made a move from AZ to the Serie A club for fourteen million euros.
Mark-Jan Fledderus, currently serving as strategic director at Como 1907, has spoken candidly about the club’s bold transfer strategy this summer, particularly regarding the high-profile acquisition of Jayden Addai.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Fledderus acknowledged that Como may have overpaid for the 19-year-old winger, who joined the Serie A newcomers from AZ Alkmaar for a reported fee of €14 million a significant sum for a club that only recently returned to the Italian top flight.
“We paid a lot maybe even too much,” Fledderus admitted. “But we’re convinced of Addai’s talent. We think he’s the kind of player who, if we had waited another year, might have become unattainable for a club like ours. So we moved early, knowing that this is an investment in both the player’s potential and our long-term vision.”
Addai’s signing signals a major statement of intent from Como. The club, which has experienced a remarkable rise from Serie C to Serie A in just a few years, is aiming not just to survive among Italy’s elite, but to establish itself as a dynamic and forward-thinking project. The signing of a teenager with Addai’s profile a player known for his pace, flair, and direct attacking style reflects the club’s ambition to build a team that can compete with energy and modernity.
Fledderus’ comments also shed light on Como’s evolving identity. While the club has historically been seen as a smaller outfit within Italian football, their recent backing from powerful ownership and a forward-looking management team which now includes Spanish legend Cesc Fàbregas as head coach is transforming perceptions. And the club’s long-term planning goes far beyond big transfer fees.
One of the key developments underpinning Como’s strategic shift is their recent partnership with Dutch giants Ajax. “For us, it’s a fantastic collaboration,” said Fledderus. “Our long-term goal isn’t just to buy talent, but to develop it ourselves. That’s where Ajax’s expertise is incredibly valuable. They have an unparalleled track record when it comes to producing top-level players from their academy. Working with them gives us access to that know-how.”
Interestingly, Fledderus believes the relationship can be mutually beneficial not just a one-way street where Como benefits from Ajax’s prestige. He used a vivid metaphor to explain: “We’re a small, agile speedboat. Ajax is a huge tanker. There are things they can learn from us too especially in areas like data usage and how to remain flexible in a rapidly changing football landscape. We may be small, but we’re adaptable and quick.”
This focus on innovation and agility is reflected in Como’s broader transfer activity this summer. Alongside Addai, the club has made several other eye-catching signings. Jesús Rodríguez, a promising midfielder from Real Betis, has joined to add depth and energy in the center of the pitch. Nicolás Kühn, a former Ajax and Bayern Munich youth player who most recently played for Celtic, brings creativity and experience at a relatively young age. Meanwhile, Martin Baturina, one of the most exciting young Croatian prospects from Dinamo Zagreb, has arrived with high expectations and is expected to play a major role in midfield.
These moves all point to a well-defined strategy: acquire young, technically skilled players with high ceilings, give them a platform to grow, and blend them with experienced figures who understand the demands of top-level football. It’s a model that has worked well for clubs like Atalanta and Brighton, and Como seem intent on becoming Italy’s next great development-focused success story.
The arrival of Cesc Fàbregas as head coach last season following a short stint as a player and an assistant only reinforces the project’s ambition. The former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea star is seen not only as a footballing icon but as a symbol of modern, intelligent football. His connection with young players and understanding of the game at the highest level is viewed as a major asset, especially for the development of talents like Addai.
Addai himself has all the tools to thrive in this environment. At AZ, he was considered one of the brightest young wingers in Dutch football comfortable in one-on-one situations, capable of cutting inside or stretching the play, and unafraid to take risks in the final third. Though still raw in certain areas, his ceiling is exceptionally high. In Como, he joins a squad designed to give him the time and freedom to grow, with the support of a coaching staff that believes deeply in technical development and positional intelligence.
While €14 million may seem excessive for a teenager with limited first-team experience at the highest level, Fledderus’ view is clear: it’s not just about what Addai is today, but what he could become tomorrow. If he reaches his potential, that fee could soon look like a bargain especially in a football economy where young, dynamic wingers are among the most coveted profiles.
In the meantime, Como are building something quietly impressive. With a mix of smart scouting, bold financial backing, and a clear vision guided by Fàbregas and Fledderus, the club is aiming to punch above its weight in Serie A. Whether Addai becomes the poster boy of that evolution remains to be seen but the foundations are already being laid for something far bigger than just survival in the top flight.
