Cesc Fàbregas

[Shakez 755]

Fuck i hate transfer saga's.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I like how some people are so desperate to believe that he can operate in the pivot that they'll selectively link to blogs by any random person rather than construct an argument themselves.

I truly hope that if we sign him that he shows he can do a job there, but there are at least a dozen players I'd rather see in that role. To me he's always looked a bit too ponderous on the ball, a little too weak defensively, he doesn't have the bite or the fight that Jose likes in that position and I think he's only coming here because no-one else really wants him and he fancies living in London.

If we're buying him as a number 10 and looking to move Oscar back then I could understand it. But to me players like Pogba, Koke, Modric, Alonso etc. are the types of player Jose probably wants. Fabregas is the type of player Chelsea teams tend to steamroll over, not scrape off the floor and buy.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Fuck i hate transfer saga's.

I Like It!!!!

[LondonPride1905 236]

Saga's? It's been 3 days, christ sake. I want him as bad as ya do, still not raising my expectations so highly, so I wont be dissapointed if it's not happening.

[bushman 2,043]

I like how some people are so desperate to believe that he can operate in the pivot that they'll selectively link to blogs by any random person rather than construct an argument themselves.

I truly hope that if we sign him that he shows he can do a job there, but there are at least a dozen players I'd rather see in that role. To me he's always looked a bit too ponderous on the ball, a little too weak defensively, he doesn't have the bite or the fight that Jose likes in that position and I think he's only coming here because no-one else really wants him and he fancies living in London.

If we're buying him as a number 10 and looking to move Oscar back then I could understand it. But to me players like Pogba, Koke, Modric, Alonso etc. are the types of player Jose probably wants. Fabregas is the type of player Chelsea teams tend to steamroll over, not scrape off the floor and buy.

So now, you construct your argument, but somehow it´s way off the truth, how come?

[The Skipper 20,593]

I like how some people are so desperate to believe that he can operate in the pivot that they'll selectively link to blogs by any random person rather than construct an argument themselves.

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.

I truly hope that if we sign him that he shows he can do a job there, but there are at least a dozen players I'd rather see in that role. To me he's always looked a bit too ponderous on the ball, a little too weak defensively, he doesn't have the bite or the fight that Jose likes in that position and I think he's only coming here because no-one else really wants him and he fancies living in London.

If we're buying him as a number 10 and looking to move Oscar back then I could understand it. But to me players like Pogba, Koke, Modric, Alonso etc. are the types of player Jose probably wants. Fabregas is the type of player Chelsea teams tend to steamroll over, not scrape off the floor and buy.

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.

[The only place to be 11,313]

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.

Actually I'm desperate to believe he can because we're looking to punt £30 million on him. I actually want players who play for this club to do well, but I'm not going to be convinced by a few diagrams from the esteemed writer Amlan Majumdar (FYI that's the name of the guy whose blog you linked to).

Fabregas is quite a similar type of player to most that you've mentioned - Modric, Koke, Alonso...

No. Each of those players has more urgency about their play and a lot more bite to their game. Alonso was a bit of a dirty cunt at times and could put in a tackle. Modric is a zippy little barstard who was MOTM for me in the CL final because he really sped up the play and moved that ball around quickly, something I don't think Fabregas does consistently. Koke seems to have that strength and tenacity about him too.

It's the lack of physicality that worries me both with the ball, and when he'll be asked to harry that opposition (because contrary to popular belief even flat-track teams will attack occasionally).

I hope I'm wrong, because it's a lot of money to gamble on a player but he just doesn't fit the mould of players we've bought in the last year, or the type of player we try and mould in the Academy. Out of every player we've had here in the last two years, the closest in style to Fabregas would be either Mata or De Bruyne.

[bushman 2,043]

The Chelsea's board will have a lot to say about any signing & not Jose only.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

The Chelsea's board will have a lot to say about any signing & not Jose only.

Agreed, that is what board of directors are for. Jose cannot have it his own way anymore, seeing as his own position might be under scrutiny next season if we end up trophy-less again. Although the likes of Tiago sounds like his signing and not the board.

[bushman 2,043]

Agreed, that is what board of directors are for. Jose cannot have it his own way anymore, seeing as his own position might be under scrutiny next season if we end up trophy-less again. Although the likes of Tiago sounds like his signing and not the board.

I too believe, those days when Roman just signed a blank check are long gone. Somehow, some posters here think it´s up to Jose whom he gets. Lol.

You are also correct, Jose will be under big pressure to play much better football & most of all win something or trigger happy boss just might pull his strings real fast.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

I too believe, those days when Roman just signed a blank check are long gone. Somehow, some posters here think it´s up to Jose whom he gets. Lol.

You are also correct, Jose will be under big pressure to play much better football & most of all win something or trigger happy boss just might pull his strings real fast.

In top clubs the days of manager deciding every single aspect of football is over unless you are Arsenal or MU but we don't know LVG situation will play out. All the clubs from Liverpool, Spurs, City, us, Real, Barca, Bayern, Dortmund, Napoli...etc now all have football directors and they will consult with managers over deals, but not reliance on them entirely.

That is because of the job demand of top level manager, who knows if they sack their managers they will be stuck with the players preferred by that manager, so the best way is to sign players that have a long term future at the club and can fit multiple manager's styles, not just one.

[ChelseaFanUK 1,014]

By process of elimination, and our board having a say i think we will end with Fabregas. Koke, would prefer Barca, most spanish players would so i think he will end up there.

Pogba will cost about £15m-20m more than Fabregas.

[bushman 2,043]

In top clubs the days of manager deciding every single aspect of football is over unless you are Arsenal or MU but we don't know LVG situation will play out. All the clubs from Liverpool, Spurs, City, us, Real, Barca, Bayern, Dortmund, Napoli...etc now all have football directors and they will consult with managers over deals, but not reliance on them entirely.

That is because of the job demand of top level manager, who knows if they sack their managers they will be stuck with the players preferred by that manager, so the best way is to sign players that have a long term future at the club and can fit multiple manager's styles, not just one.

Correct.

I also believe that Roman over the years had learned a lot about football & has his vision about the team. He certainly didn´t hire Jose to park his bus, I feel.

As we found out about Hazard today, getting No 10 his role will change a bit. Perhaps, it will be for the better, finally.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Actually I'm desperate to believe he can because we're looking to punt £30 million on him. I actually want players who play for this club to do well, but I'm not going to be convinced by a few diagrams from the esteemed writer Amlan Majumdar (FYI that's the name of the guy whose blog you linked to).

No. Each of those players has more urgency about their play and a lot more bite to their game. Alonso was a bit of a dirty cunt at times and could put in a tackle. Modric is a zippy little barstard who was MOTM for me in the CL final because he really sped up the play and moved that ball around quickly, something I don't think Fabregas does consistently. Koke seems to have that strength and tenacity about him too.

It's the lack of physicality that worries me both with the ball, and when he'll be asked to harry that opposition (because contrary to popular belief even flat-track teams will attack occasionally).

I hope I'm wrong, because it's a lot of money to gamble on a player but he just doesn't fit the mould of players we've bought in the last year, or the type of player we try and mould in the Academy. Out of every player we've had here in the last two years, the closest in style to Fabregas would be either Mata or De Bruyne.

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.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

If he does come here then I really do not think he will show the same passion he did at Arsenal and Barcelona. Chelsea was never a club he fancied and for me it'll seem weird because I'll be seeing someone play just because he had no other better option.

Yes he's a great player but sometimes I want players like Schurrle to join us because they genuinely want to play and represent the club that they truly support. 30m is a lot of money to spend on a player so it definitely won't be a short term solution.

[LondonPride1905 236]

Too many coincidences for this to happen it's honestly inevitable.
1. Lampard leaves

2. Cesc has idolised Lampard, tho. has always had arguments with him.

3. He is homegrown.

4. He is cheaper.

5. He doesn't get enough playing time and when he does he is usually put up as a winger.

6. If that's the case, we have no problem about his wages too.

7. We just sold David Luiz, who was considered mostly a midfielder. So now there is one spot and he will slot in it.

If this fails it would be because:
1. Wenger wants him.

2. He doesn't want to go to Chelsea and prefers to stay at Barca

Anything else I am missing, because I am shocked at how this can be a match made in heaven in the transfer window.

[bushman 2,043]

According to the latest version, Barcelona & Chelsea have agreed on fees for Cesc.

[Special Juan 27,424]

I don't buy into this 'He won't have the passion because he is ex-Arsenal' stuff, he's like all footballers, he's a winner and he wants to achieve things. He can achieve things here he never did with Arsenal and that's lift the Premier League title. We offer location he knows, a league he knows and CL football and what for me is classed as a small thing is the #4 shirt.

I've got a feeling this will happen.