How Patrick Cutrone Was Able Rescue His Career With Como

Patrick Cutrone was once one of the most talked about young players to come out of Serie A.

Having spent ten years in the AC Milan academy, Cutrone was given the opportunity to feature regularly for the Rossoneri during the 2017/18 campaign.

The break-through

At 19-years old, the Italian striker registered 18 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for Milan. An impressive debut campaign saw Cutrone rewarded with a senior call-up to the Italy national team, making his debut against Argentina on March 23rd.

With a double digit Serie A season for Milan and an appearance at senior level for Gil Azzurri, Cutrone was labelled Italy’s ‘next great’ striker.

Cutrone will renew his contract in the coming days. Milan intend to keep him for a long time. [https://t.co/ZVX0VzC4A0] pic.twitter.com/7VI5vI3lFX

— Milan Eye (@MilanEye) May 29, 2018

However, this was the pinnacle of Cutrone’s career. The Italian followed up his spectacular season with just nine goals in all competitions for Milan - three in Serie A.

A flurry of substitute appearances and the signings of Gonzalo Higuain and Krzysztof Piatek made Cutrone less than required as the season went on.

Change of scenery

A move to the Premier League was next on the cards for Cutrone, as he signed a four-year contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth £16 million, in an attempt to get his career back on track.

DONE DEAL: Wolves have confirmed the signing of Patrick Cutrone from AC Milan on a four-year contract for a reported fee of £16m. pic.twitter.com/g8pKvLi4fb

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) July 30, 2019

Despite the change in environment, Cutrone’s struggles continued at Wolves, scoring three goals in 24 appearances before being sent on loan back to Serie A with Fiorentina.

Two seasons with Fiorentina which included a goalless 2020/21 campaign led to spells with Valencia and Empoli.

Hometown hero

Wolves would eventually cut ties with the forward in 2022, allowing him to sign for hometown club Como in Serie B on a three-year deal.

Many viewed the transfer as an unimaginable decline for a talent that burst onto the scene with Milan just five years ago. However a return to the city of his birth gave Cutrone a new found confidence and form.

Cutrone scored 23 goals in 68 appearances in his first two seasons with Como, helping the club return to Italy’s top-flight for the first time in 21 years following promotion from Serie B. After four miserable spells in Serie A since his double digit campaign with Milan, expectations for Cutrone and Como were low.

Hasil voting warga, Patrick Cutrone terpilih jadi pemain terbaik Como di musim 2024/25. Congratulations, captain! 🇮🇹

👤 41 appearances
⚽️ 23 goals
👟 11 assists
🥇 Serie A Capocannoniere

He is back. pic.twitter.com/qDFBsqX1Sw

— CJM (@cjmofficial) January 30, 2025

Como have managed to play well above expectations under Cesc Fàbregas, currently sitting 13th in the Serie A table with 33 points from 31 matches - nine points above the relegation zone.

The rise of Como has coincided with the resurgence of Cutrone, who has scored seven goals in 28 appearances in all competitions - his highest goal return in a top-flight since 2027/18.

He is also the joint-first top goalscorer for the club in Serie A this season with six.

For the majority of the season, Cutrone has led the line for Como in Cesc Fàbregas’ 4-2-3-1 system, helping create attacks for himself and providing service for his teammates - registering three assists on the season.

What's next?

With such a quick rise and fall from grace, it would be easy for Cutrone to become one of those ‘failed wonderkids’ that are rarely heard from again.

He may not reach the heights that were once expected of him but Patrick Cutrone has turned his career around and at just 27-years old still has plenty more to offer in the top-flight.