Cesc Fàbregas

[Jusek 2,031]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDDZ4s3DKog

[AndersonBLUE 819]

In theory he should play better for us as we are more direct, and that's where his strength is. As someone else said I hope Barcelona hasn't brain washed him to play short all the time. Fuck tiki taka

[Styles 9,790]

I hope his injury problems do not comeback now that he has left Barcelona.

Our medical team is light years ahead of Arsenal's, he will be fine.

It's amazing what Barcelona can get away with.

[Korea 734]

Who do you think drops out of the lineup???

I think Oscar going to play on the wings next season in 4-3-3 and have ramires-cesc as the cm combo.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Who do you think drops out of the lineup???

I think Oscar going to play on the wings next season in 4-3-3 and have ramires-cesc as the cm combo.

So then we have Schurrle, Willian, Salah and perhaps Moses fighting for one position? Doubt it.

[Korea 734]

So then we have Schurrle, Willian, Salah and perhaps Moses fighting for one position? Doubt it.

Salah might get loaned out next season and Moses might get sold.

Willian, schurrle, oscar and hazard for the wing positions.

MVG, Cesc, matic, ramires and oscar/willian. Also, with all the recent reports, it seem Jose is still looking for another cm

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Salah might get loaned out next season and Moses might get sold.

Willian, schurrle, oscar and hazard for the wing positions.

MVG, Cesc, matic, ramires and oscar/willian. Also, with all the recent reports, it seem Jose is still looking for another cm

If and when that happens you may have something but until then... Doubt it.

[Barbara 15,149]

I don't even know where they got that idea he had the Barça DNA. Just because he was there as a kid until early youth it doesn't mean he had the DNA. Actually the DNA was being developed there while he was already in Arsenal because those philosophies don't get developed overnight.

He was way too direct for the Barça DNA. I think he had the club identification, all his friends that were with him while they were kids were still there, it's the club he's supported since a kid and etc. Maybe in that way he had the DNA but he was never the kind of player that would suit them and still the guy managed to get 42 goals and 45 assists over three seasons. That's not bad at all, actually isn't the average (14 goals and 15 assists) better than anyone in our team maybe except Eden? (I don't remember which were Eden's final numbers).

I don't believe he'll score 14 goals from the pivot, but with his vision and direct game I can see him carrying on the assists - or at least getting nearly the same. I know he was played much forwarder in Barça - many times as the hideous false 9 thing, but if he gets himself in the same positions around the box as Lamps used to get while we were attacking, I can see him having as many assists even from the pivot.

I just can't wait to see this guy playing for us and wearing our shirt in a match. I'm counting the days. We won't ask if a prospect to the club can play in the pivot for a long while because we'll have it covered. It's a relief.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

In theory he should play better for us as we are more direct, and that's where his strength is. As someone else said I hope Barcelona hasn't brain washed him to play short all the time. Fuck tiki taka

His pass accuracy really improved at Barcelona, but IMO, his passes became less risky and creative, adapting to Barcelona's possession style. That being said, he still created a lot of chances for the team last season, second only to Messi.

I think he can easily switch back to the way he played in the PL. From what I have seen of him, he never looked comfortable playing Barcelona's tiki taka anyway.

He might be three years older now than he was when he played in the PL, but creative midfielders that don't rely on pace are the least affected by their age. And hell, he just turned 27. He's still young. I don't expect Cesc to have problems adjusting to the PL, unless Jose tries to turn him into something he isn't.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

"The midfielder scored 42 goals and provided 45 assists in three seasons with Barcelona."

Not bad.

Have you seen Torres' stats? I's not bad actually, but after that I stopped believing in numbers.

I'm sure Xavi's stats for goals and assists aren't off the charts but he clearly was the better and more important option for Barca than Fabtegas.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Have you seen Torres' stats? I's not bad actually, but after that I stopped believing in numbers.

I'm sure Xavi's stats for goals and assists aren't off the charts but he clearly was the better and more important option for Barca than Fabtegas.

Er, I generally agree with you that stats aren't everything, but have you seen Xavi play last season? He was terrible in many games. Even Barcelona fans who adore Xaviniesta and are often blind to their faults admitted that he was one of the worst players in many games.

This is just a few random quotes from barcaforum:

"Once again showed he is well past his best, simple passes going off target and he just doesn't control the game at all.. Sad but true."

"As the season advances, Xavi's decline becomes more and more apparent."

"Apparently, he slows more and more the game. Doesn't take risks of assisting or getting further forward. Pretty much a ''heavier'' player these days."

"

Can't believe people are still going on about the "He's just playing it safe now. The old Xavi is gone." myth. Every year it's getting more and more difficult to make a vertical pass in the final third.

I would believe this if I wouldn't see Cesc, Messi or even Busi making those passes."

"He is nothing more than a blunt knife now. I'm really sad about his offensive demise."

This is just a few random quotes from February 2014.

Xavi is no longer the old Xavi. He was bad last season--both his game and his stats.

[Korea 734]

Cesc confirmed Xavi is leaving the Catalans this season.

I'm really surprised they let both Cesc and Thiago go, when Xavi was in the process of leaving. Only thing that would justified it, if Koke is coming in.

[Fernando 6,502]

Didn't play much in wc.

Good, he can use the rest so he can be ready to go in the new season!

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Thank god this guy didn't play tonight. This page would have been a cesspot of fuckery.

[Styles 9,790]

Thank god this guy didn't play tonight. This page would have been a cesspot of fuckery.

Can't even make a poor Spanish team! Just how bad is this guy?

[Sheva. 5,373]

I for one would have liked to see him play against that insane Chile pressing. Meh.

[mediator 2,026]

Great new, he will be fit for pre season

[The Skipper 20,593]

I for one would have liked to see him play against that insane Chile pressing. Meh.

Still wouldn't be fair to judge him off that in the context for our system. Even Iniesta looked average against these, Vidal and Medel fully marshalled that midfield tonight.