The Skipper

How is Messi worth twice more than Ronaldo?

One thing Fabregas would give Mourinho is options. We don't have a player like him in midfield, so this signing would make us a lot more versatile and unpredictable, and will give Jose even more ammunition and tactical flexibility to change things up.

The worst statistic out there and why WhoScored are awful sometimes. I remember when Schurrle had this exact one last year and people called him a poor finisher... Stupid stat. Diego Costa was the most clinical striker in the top 5 European leagues last year, his shot to goal ratio is the best.

Looks fine in training.

I'd definitely say he's more suited to direct, counter attacking football rather than tiki taka, hence why he wasn't a huge success at Barcelona.

My idea of a pivot is a two man central midfield with one holding and one venturing forward a bit more to help use possession more effectively during the attacking/possession phase, whilst returning to a flat two base in the defensive/retrieval phase. 4-4-1-1 is basically a permutation of 4-2-3-1 anyway, and we usually go into a 4-4-1-1 shape when defending or trying to retrieve the ball anyway. I would classify the two in midfield Arsenal used to employ on several occasions (Fabregas with Gilberto/Flamini/Song) as a type of pivot, yes.

It's coming from this guy, some Madrid guy. Not sure how reliable he is though, so take it with a pinch of salt. https://twitter.com/churchoffutbol/status/474157838982713344

DM saying that Soton want Hernandez to be involved in the deal.

Courtois to Vitesse.

It's not about whoever wrote that blog post tbh (it was written over two years ago) - I was merely trying to reinforce that at Arsenal he has played in a midfield two before so him playing deep here wouldn't be anywhere near as foreign as it would be for someone like Oscar or KDB; but fair enough, those are valid concerns. I do believe that under a more constructive and balanced manager like Jose, Fabregas can be a lot more proactive with his defensive duties, just like someone like Modric is. Fabregas isn't as soft as someone like Mata or KDB, he was always in the thick of things at Arsenal and is already used to the PL direct, hustle and bustle nature - plus he's a much better fit in general in the PL because he's more direct in his play than his Barcelona team mates. I think at his age he's also actually an ideal bridge for the likes of Chalobah, Baker (who is pretty similar to him as a player), RLC etc. £30m for a PL proven world class CM is just something you shouldn't pass on. One could make the argument that Koke or Pogba would perhaps be better signings and I wouldn't really disagree, but both are out of reach - Koke is obviously more interested in staying in Spain or going to Barca as Xavi's heir, whilst Pogba's price is too astronomical compared to Fabregas'. As with any transfer there are risks attached but honestly if the board and Jose are also backing this then honestly all we can hope is that Fabregas does have the capabilities to play in that 2 next to Matic or in a 3 with Oscar or Ramires and Matic. We'll just have to wait and see if this actually goes through and until Jose makes the outline for his plans for the squad a bit clearer.

At the same time, some are desperate to believe he can't. I have made my point throughout the thread several times, that blog post just reinforces exactly what I think. If we sign him it'll obviously be with the approval of Jose. Fabregas is quite a similar type of player to most that you've mentioned - Modric, Koke, Alonso... If Jose doesn't want Fabregas we won't sign him. The team is being built in Jose's image, and if that includes signing Fabregas then you can't really say Fabregas is not a Jose-type player.

Just because United are throwing £100k a week at Shaw doesn't mean we would too...

Look at the Arsenal guy... :lol:

"Fabregas can't play in the pivot and/or played as a number 10 for Arsenal" http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/arsenal-rewind-tactical-evolution--from-w-m-to-4-2-3-1-part-iv/

Guys that are saying that Mourinho is buying Cesc to replace Oscar... Didn't Mourinho say just a few weeks back that Oscar (and Hazard & Matic) are the future of this team?

Looks like we're securing what we need early - a top ST, top CM and top LB. Jose isn't playing around next season.

Agreed. That was highly idiotic.

Thinking about getting a Hazard shirt next season now. EH10 is nice.

I really wouldn't mind either way but it'd just be a nice tribute, that's all.

Thinking (hoping) that the number 8 will be unofficially retired for a few years.

I don't understand why anyone needs the opinion of a Barcelona fan to validate or challenge their own opinion on Fabregas, he's played in the PL for 7/8 years so we witnessed first hand what sort of player he is. Barcelona fans will tell you that players like Ibrahimovic, Eto'o in his prime, and even current players like Sanchez or Neymar even aren't good enough for them or their system and I'd welcome almost every single one of them here. This guy is coming off an average season but still managed to grab 13 goals and 17 assists for them. Spoilt bunch. Fabregas has never fitted the Barcelona system anyway, he's way too direct for their setup.

What about the reports from the Guardian and the Telegraph? It hasn't just been Spain.

So what if our manager's Portuguese? ABC who are the Spanish version of BBC also now reporting it. Of course papers won't get everything at 100% but I'm more inclined to believe those than some journalist just because he's Portuguese.

Cadena SER, the Guardian and the Telegraph are all sources that I'd think are more reliable than some journalist from Portugal.Edit: add ABC.es to that list now, they're basically the BBC of Spain.

Koke seems to be off to Barcelona, and Pogba is pretty much unreachable (£50m+ probably) so Fabregas at £30m is simply the logical choice.