Cesc Fàbregas

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

but we still have our 'lucky charm', Torres last season. Now I'm worried.

Torres didn't play at etihad.

We'll be fine. Matic didn't play at the bridge last year either.

City are a disjointed group without Yaya in the middle, Arsenal exposed that weakness using our blueprint.

[LAB 1,030]

I think your memory has been failing you. Arsenal have played one of their best matches against us in recent years. They were pressing and marking like they never did before. It was a competitive match during the first half. then because they are arsenal they simply imploded after we scored the first or second goal (can't point exactly when the implosion happened). And Cesc was one of the best players in the pitch if not the very best.

Thank God some people are still able to remember around here.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I think your memory has been failing you. Arsenal have played one of their best matches against us in recent years. They were pressing and marking like they never did before. It was a competitive match during the first half. then because they are arsenal they simply imploded after we scored the first or second goal (can't point exactly when the implosion happened). And Cesc was one of the best players in the pitch if not the very best.

They started brightly, but faded as we scored...its how arsenal play. They might have one of better games recently (after that loss 6:0 even more clearly), but the way they played was good all the way till first goal. Then we took our charge and Cesc bossed. But like I said, Arsenal I dont count as big game realy, they never know the way to play against us and always make it easy.

As for Cesc, he played well that game, but not against City, United, Liverpool (3 times now). Being decent in those games is not my point. He doesnt stand out in big games as he does in small games.

[LAB 1,030]

They started brightly, but faded as we scored...its how arsenal play. They might have one of better games recently (after that loss 6:0 even more clearly), but the way they played was good all the way till first goal. Then we took our charge and Cesc bossed. But like I said, Arsenal I dont count as big game realy, they never know the way to play against us and always make it easy.

As for Cesc, he played well that game, but not against City, United, Liverpool (3 times now). Being decent in those games is not my point. He doesnt stand out in big games as he does in small games.

Cesc was good vs City defensively. Not his fault that Jose respected City too much.

[DYC. 7,542]

Matic is not a surprise, but Fabregas in 4th. Very interesting.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Matic is not a surprise, but Fabregas in 4th. Very interesting.

Wanyama doesn't surprise me either, I suggested to sign him as back-up to Matic.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Wanyama doesn't surprise me either, I suggested to sign him as back-up to Matic.

Fuck that Song over Wanyama every day of the week ending in a 'y'

[DYC. 7,542]

Wanyama doesn't surprise me either, I suggested to sign him as back-up to Matic.

Trade him for Mikel?

[Tomo 21,733]

The big game thing is such a massive mountain out of a molehill not just for Cesc but for football in general, fans are so obsessed with big game players.

We have been spoiled by Drogbas regular cup final goals, but even he had a lot of quiet big games in the league, apart from Arsenal, , in 8 seasons with us first time round in the league netted only once vs United, twice vs Liverpool and hasn't scored at all vs City since the Shieks took over (lets hope I jinx that) yet no one will say he isn't a big game player.

Very few player's regularly stand out in big games, there big games for a reason.

[Barbara 15,149]

The big game thing is such a massive mountain out of a molehill not just for Cesc but for football in general, fans are so obsessed with big game players.

We have been spoiled by Drogbas regular cup final goals, but even he had a lot of quiet big games in the league, apart from Arsenal, , in 8 seasons with us first time round in the league netted only once vs United, twice vs Liverpool and hasn't scored at all vs City since the Shieks took over (lets hope I jinx that) yet no one will say he isn't a big game player.

Very few player's regularly stand out in big games, there big games for a reason.

People completely ignore that big games mean better players all over the pitch and even deft tacticians come with a special plan to play those matches... Cesc was the best player against a good Arsenal and very solid playing the role he was given against City.

Also Hazard is supposed to be this team's star... not sure why everyone is jumping on Cesc to make it in big games. First of all, Mourinho needs to choose a game plan that allows players to shine, then the responsability has to be divided between our best players which are Cesc, Costa and Eden... but somehow only Cesc is pegged by big game failure...

[zolayes 14,489]

Anyone questioning Cescs ability, or his performances need to shove their fingers or some other extremity in an electric socket.

[Ljpaddock 187]

Hazard should be in no10 position tbh

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Well he is back for light training session yesterday.

[LAM09 6,754]

Is he 100% out for Saturday's game?

[Special Juan 27,429]

Returned to a light session yesterday from reports.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

I wouldn't risk playing him tbh. The way i look at it tommorow worst case scenario is, we lose. Gap goes from 5 to 2. Not the end of the world.

We'd still be 2 points in front with City having a more difficult schedule then ours.

I'd rather we miss him now then try and rush him back, make his hamstring worse and miss more games.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I wouldn't risk playing him tbh. The way i look at it tommorow worst case scenario is, we lose. Gap goes from 5 to 2. Not the end of the world.

We'd still be 2 points in front with City having a more difficult schedule then ours.

I'd rather we miss him now then try and rush him back, make his hamstring worse and miss more games.

Especially knowing how he gets injured the most in the 2nd half of seasons, it'll be wiser for him to stay put and properly recover for the smaller games where we need him more.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,893]

It's often easy to shoot your mouth off from the sidelines when you have not the slightest level of responsibility for what is actually going to happen, so here goes...

If Cesc can't play I'd replace him with Charlie Colkett!! Charlie is the second best passer we have in the club, after Cesc. In time perhaps he'll be the best and he's already better defensively than the ex-barca man. Now, if I were really picking the side, I don't suppose I'd be any more likely to Pick Charlie than Jose is but, sitting at the keyboard, it sounds like an idea worth considering. :)