Cesc Fàbregas

[El P. 1,354]

Even Goal.com (not so relevant, but still) is giving him 3,5/5 for that game, despite missing a penalty, I guess he did ok.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Fabregas isn't a quack and neither is he a world beater. There is a reason Barcelona let him (and Pedro) go. The same reason both players failed to claim a spot in the starting XI. They are good players who have certain limitations.

Fabregas lacks pace and power while Pedro lacks power and technique (not so much skill but technique). Fabregas sill manages to be a good player because of his superb technique, but he struggles in physical leagues and games - tight markers can stop him from shining ... when he's needed most. Although he does seem to be on the cold side, Fabregas might not have the tools to be more aggressive, especially pace - difficult to challenge for the ball when you are always late and you move about the pitch.

I've never been a fan of either, but they are certainly not terrible players. The problem with the squad is the lack of options and the fact these good players might have been promised a starting XI spot, or very close to it, in order to lure them.

At this moment we are not able to compete with the top spenders. There is only so much cleverness you can pull off, especially on a consistent basis. When they are wrong they just buy another one - we need to move ours flops. Not saying Fabregas is one btw, just that it all adds up to the grand picture.

[!Hazard! 3,394]

Fabregas should go to the French or the German league or MLS. Slow tempo would suit him better. For me he will always be a Gooner who had a fantastic half a season with us. I will be surprised if he is with us next season. Thanks Cesc and bye.

In my fantasy Cesc would be transfered to PSG and in return (plus huge amount of money) they would give us Verratti.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

What is this man doing?

That moment when he failed to pass to Willian who was right next to him. Gets the free-kick, then proceeds to pass to Costa who's back was to him.

Or in the 84th min. When he got the ball on the edge of the box and expected to have 5 min to process his next pass only to have it taken away with ease.

Thats's on top of all the failed passes he made, and his shit performances week in, week out.

And he's still, STILL showing absolutely no signs of waking up. None.

[iseah100 5,612]

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

What is this man doing?

That moment when he failed to pass to Willian who was right next to him. Gets the free-kick, then proceeds to pass to Costa who's back was to him.

Or in the 84th min. When he got the ball on the edge of the box and expected to have 5 min to process his next pass only to have it taken away with ease.

Thats's on top of all the failed passes he made, and his shit performances week in, week out.

And he's still, STILL showing absolutely no signs of waking up. None.

Has jose criticized him for his shit performances all season?

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Has jose criticized him for his shit performances all season?

I think you know the answer to that question.

[iseah100 5,612]

I think you know the answer to that question.

But Hazard gets repeated criticism. Okay, jose.

[LAM09 7,043]

Did nothing yet again. We don't need passengers.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Did nothing yet again. We don't need passengers.

He will be next. I expect Oscar to return to the line up against the Hammers at his expense.

[DYC. 7,542]

Didn't think he was that bad overall but maybe I'm crazy and I could accept that.

He's just the antithesis of power and athleticism.

[LAM09 7,043]

He will be next. I expect Oscar to return to the line up against the Hammers at his expense.

I hope so. We need to get a win in Kiev.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Didn't think he was that bad overall but maybe I'm crazy and I could accept that.

He's just the antithesis of power and athleticism.

I thought he was awful bruh.

He's not even 'flat-track-bullying' right. And that's when I loose it with him.

Games like today are when he's setting PL records for most touches in a match, and setting Costa through on goal time and time again.

Not once this season.

[DYC. 7,542]

I thought he was awful bruh.

He's not even 'flat-track-bullying' right. And that's when I loose it with him.

Games like today are when he's setting PL records for most touches in a match, and setting Costa through on goal time and time again.

Not once this season.

That was never going to happen though. Not in the way this team is playing. Under the current circumstances, I didn't think he was terrible at all. I actually thought he was decent overall. And I have to emphasise the word decent. I thought he was so much worse earlier on in the season.

But again, I'll accept my madness if I'm the only one.

[Barbara 15,149]

That was never going to happen though. Not in the way this team is playing. Under the current circumstances, I didn't think he was terrible at all. I actually thought he was decent overall. And I have to emphasise the word decent. I thought he was so much worse earlier on in the season.

But again, I'll accept my madness if I'm the only one.

you're not. I'm with you. So either we have a point or we can be mad together

I think the passing was there, he tried some things, had some very good and key passes peppered in the 90 minutes, but it was either wasted (like that one to Pedro in the first that his first touch betrayed him and it was wasted) or the assist to Costa. He can still do much better than this, but I thought he was decent and as you said in the previous post, he's just the antithesis of athleticism and power, he's more about touch and intelligence and maybe I'm too naïve or just as outdated as Mourinho, but I believe modern football still has space for the likes of him if the whole system isn't compromised just to accommodate him - which I think it isn't. Thing is, for him to work on his best, everything around him has to be an oiled machine working to perfection. He doesn't change a team, he doesn't turn things around on himself. He can control the tempo, if others play their part perfectly, he can change and decide a match, if attacking players are moving well and taking well their chances, he won't compromise the midfield, if others help him to keep the midfield compact. He can't do any of those things all by himself.

[DYC. 7,542]

you're not. I'm with you. So either we have a point or we can be mad together

I think the passing was there, he tried some things, had some very good and key passes peppered in the 90 minutes, but it was either wasted (like that one to Pedro in the first that his first touch betrayed him and it was wasted) or the assist to Costa. He can still do much better than this, but I thought he was decent and as you said in the previous post, he's just the antithesis of athleticism and power, he's more about touch and intelligence and maybe I'm too naïve or just as outdated as Mourinho, but I believe modern football still has space for the likes of him if the whole system isn't compromised just to accommodate him - which I think it isn't. Thing is, for him to work on his best, everything around him has to be an oiled machine working to perfection. He doesn't change a team, he doesn't turn things around on himself. He can control the tempo, if others play their part perfectly, he can change and decide a match, if attacking players are moving well and taking well their chances, he won't compromise the midfield, if others help him to keep the midfield compact. He can't do any of those things all by himself.

I think Cesc ultimately needs too much support to thrive for today's game tbh. He's just so slow, sluggish and weak. Even Xavi was comfortably ahead of him in these areas in his prime and he wasn't much of an athlete either. Cesc's ability to shield the ball and dribble away from pressure is laughably bad (Xavi was a master in this). Xabi Alonso had the same issues as Cesc but adapted his game a great deal, practically becoming a defensive midfielder. He compensated his weaknesses on the ball with his defensive work. Cesc doesn't seem to be capable of doing so. Pirlo was just so intelligent that he managed, he's a rarity. But the most important reason why remained great is his set-piece ability imo. He could always decide a game with his delivery or a direct attempt.

I look at Modric and see my ideal playmaker CM. He has the skill, vision and great tactical versatility combined with power and athleticism. He's represents the current shift and the template for the future. Verratti is the example of what is coming, same with Thiago Alcantara.

Even though I don't think Cesc will thrive again, he still has a future imo. His ability to create chances and assist saves him. But never in a two man midfield. That first half of 14/15 was a moment, a football honeymoon and it's gone forever. Ideally, Chelsea buy a CM (at least one) in the summer to play alongside two out of Cesc/Matic/RLC (Oscar or new player?).

Like a member here said before, the weight of his role needs to be reduced. One of the 11 rather than star man. He needs help in midfield. With Spain, he shares duties with Iniesta, Silva, Busquets when he plays and he blends in well. I think Thiago will permanently push him out of the starting line-up though.