‘It Does not Make Sense’ - Why Cesc Fabregas Wants to Block Star Player from AFCON 2025

Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas is staring at a potential rift with Senegal after declaring that he does not want winger Assane Diao to link up with his national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Diao is among a number of players hoping to be selected for the continental tournament that will kick off in Morocco from December 21 and play up to January 18 but his coach has made it clear that he does not want him to go.

The Senegal star plays for Serie A side Como 1907, which is coached by Fabregas, and has been doing well in the Italian top flight, currently sitting in seventh place on the table.

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Diao was signed midway through last season and scored eight goals in 15 games before suffering a broken leg in the final months of the campaign, locking him out of the last games of the season as well as early this term.

He, however, returned but had an abductor problem before he was called up for the November international friendlies and featured in two training sessions while with the national team which aggravated his situation.

Diao therefore returned to Italy with his problem worsened and here is where Fabregas’ bone of contention is as he fears the player could make a bad situation worse if he links up with the Lions of Terenga for AFCON 2025.

"I don't want to send him to the African Cup of Nations. For me, it's illogical," the ex-Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder said as per Goal.

"He's been out for seven months, he's played three games, now he's going to the national team, he'll get injured and be out again.

“Then maybe he'll go back to Senegal. In the player's mind, you have to do things right. For me, it doesn't make sense. They won't care, but we want what's best for the player.”

“He shouldn't go. He went to training camp with Senegal with a minor adductor problem and did two training sessions. Then he got injured and came back here. We'll try to get him back with Inter, but it's more likely that we'll have him back with Roma,” added the Como coach.

The 20-year-old, who has two caps for Senegal, has played four matches for Como so far this season.