Cesc Fàbregas

[Muzchap 8,966]

My point was before he even kicked a ball in a competitive match some guys are saying he should be captain ahead of Ivanovic, Cahill, Cech. Just because he has done well so far the fan boys suddenly think he should be captain. It takes more than experience and "driving" the team forward to be captain. Id prefer a player who has a few years under his belt at the club and actually fought to win some trophies. Luckily Mourinho agrees with me.

Fair enough - I did say after this season he could be in for a shout and if it goes as expected - I would support that.

Whilst JT is around he is the Captain.

I'm not sure about Iva or Cahill as captains and maybe Cech will go? But lets get this season out of the way first

[zolayes 14,489]

I wanted him BECAUSE how he played for Arsenal .. he was always superb for them

[Daniel1980 1,425]

The thing that is making me a little bit nervous about this guy is that he was massively criticized in Spain because according to them, he always starts the season fantastically and then drops in his performances completely in mid-season. The Barcelona fans claimed this happened every single season he was there.

I'm really hoping it's not true.

It's a bit of an exaggeration. This year his form dropped after 15 February - only 1 assist after that. Pretty similar to Eden, actually, who didn't have a non-penalty goal or assist in March-May last season.

Let's take a look at Cesc's performance in the second half of the season at Barcelona.

2011-2012 first half of the season: 5 assists, 8 goals; second half: 3 assists, 1 goal. It's a significant drop in stats, but he wasn't used in many games in the second half of the season, the coach preferring a trusted duo Xavi-Iniesta.

2012-2013 first half of the season: 9 assists, 5 goals; second half: 2 assists, 6 goals.

This is very curious. He was excellent until Christmas and had a huge drop in form in January-March just right after Vilanova left Barcelona because of his cancer and Roura replaced him. When Roura was the coach, Cesc scored just 1 goal in January-March. On 31 March Vilanova got a bit better and returned to coach Barcelona. After that Cesc scored 5 goals and made 2 assists in the remaining games.

2013-2014 first half 9 assists 7 goals; second half 4 assists 1 goal. The thing is, this year Cesc wasn't the only one who had a run of poor form at Barcelona. Iniesta, Xavi were shit a good part of the season, but since they don't score or assist much anyway, it doesn't matter. Out of all Barcelona midfielders only Cesc was supposed to score and assist a lot, according to Barcelona fans, and only he got criticized when he didn't. Actually, massive criticism and booing might have contributed to his poor form too. Frankly, in the last couple of months, he played like he didn't give a shit anymore.

Also, in the first half of the season, Martino tried to play a more direct football, and most of Cesc's goals and assists came then--he was one of the best Barcelona players then. In the second half, Martino went back to playing tiki-taka, because despite playing well and winning, fans and some players were unhappy there wasn't enough possession. It didn't help that in the second half of the season, when important matches started, Barcelona coaches tried to shove as many stars on the pitch as possible and he or/and Iniesta ended up playing on weird positions, and playing Xavi-Iniesta-Fabregas at the same time never worked at Barcelona. When Cesc played with Xavi in the first half of the season, it worked fine. Iniesta-Cesc was used rarely and when it was used, IMO, they didn't look very comfortable playing together, since neither of them was good at being "Xavi" for Barcelona.

All in all, I'm not sure his experience at Barcelona can say something conclusive, since he didn't even have a fixed position and stability to be consistent. At Arsenal he didn't have such big drops in form in the second half--he just had many injuries, but when he was fit, he played well enough in the second half of the season. As for his poor performance against big teams Barcelona fans criticize him for, it's true and he definitely deserves some of the blame, but part of the fault lies with Barcelona's coaches. It's not like he's a choker: At Arsenal he played fine in many big games. Hell, he assisted in the World Cup final and Euro 2012 final. Games don't get bigger than that.

[Nuski 7]

The way to play Barca wasn't the better for Cesc. In addition, he was despised by cules and he was converted into target of the criticism by the press. Xavi and Iniesta are untouchables. The fanatics cules never forgot he signed for Arsenal when he was 16 year old.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Think a main reason is that Barca are blessed with midfielders of his attributes and him leaving over Rakatic (a player of similar ability) isn't a real loss for them. In regards to us, we haven't had a player of his ability and distribution from deep since Makelele and Tiago.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Arsenal fans at Arsenal Mania when someone posted a gif of Cesc's goal:

wow. Costa and Fabregas looks immense... what a team!

Wenger set up for another butt thrusting by mou.
__________

Özil could never do that. Its really really a shame that we went with Özil instead of Cesc.
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Yh well Cesc plays for Chelsea now, move on ffs.
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omfg. I'm not saying anything.

FFFSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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Another player that has and will benefit from leaving wengers losing mentality.

Legend.
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Oh no, Cesc scored a decent goal vs a team I've never heard of in a friendly

Who cares? Fabregas is a top player and will do good things for Chelsea most weeks. Get over it. If we had **** players and played **** football maybe I'd care about Chelseas players.
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wish we had sold Cazorla and got Cesc back though tbh.

I would have even sold both Arteta and Flamini. Just to Bring back Fabregas
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We should have been going into this season with Fabregas in our squad.

They loved him to a ridiculous degree, and now seem to be torn between "Cunt!" and "It's not really his fault, I wish he still played for us." I'm really looking forward to our game at Emirates. Curious how they greet him. Better get earplugs, though.

[Dion 2,476]

However not everybody can immediately start showing love towards him, talking about future captaincy and putting him down as their favourite player before he has even played in an official match for Chelsea. Some time needs to pass to completely erase the image of him in Arsenal and Barcelona shirts. I admit that is going to be a lot easier if he scores goals like the one yesterday more often

I know some people have talked about captaincy but you quoted me so I'll just leave it here that I never said such a thing. In addition to that, there are some players who are so good that you will just like them no matter where they are playing. And I have a weak spot for great midfielders, if we signed Pirlo, for instance, he'd be my favorite player from day one. I don't think favorite player is as tied to playing and winning for Chelsea as captaincy. I'm a football fan first and foremost - and I only came to be one because of players like Lampard, Fabregas, Zidane, Ronaldo...

Also I just don't give as much importance to players featuring for another clubs as some here do, that's why whilst not particularly pleased with Lampard playing for Shitty, I'm not overly concerned about it either. I just accept football transfers as what they are, business - particularly in this day and age. So I don't hold it against Fabregas his time playing for Arsenal or Barcelona. I find it many times worse when a player says something bad directed at our club, but even then many people didn't mind Eto'o signing for us at all - especially when he began scoring.

As long as the player performs and wins matches for us, even the "but he played for arsenal" people will shut up and support him. And I don't have much of a doubt that he will perform.

[Reddish-Blue 2,347]

I know some people have talked about captaincy but you quoted me so I'll just leave it here that I never said such a thing. In addition to that, there are some players who are so good that you will just like them no matter where they are playing. And I have a weak spot for great midfielders, if we signed Pirlo, for instance, he'd be my favorite player from day one. I don't think favorite player is as tied to playing and winning for Chelsea as captaincy. I'm a football fan first and foremost - and I only came to be one because of players like Lampard, Fabregas, Zidane, Ronaldo...

Also I just don't give as much importance to players featuring for another clubs as some here do, that's why whilst not particularly pleased with Lampard playing for Shitty, I'm not overly concerned about it either. I just accept football transfers as what they are, business - particularly in this day and age. So I don't hold it against Fabregas his time playing for Arsenal or Barcelona. I find it many times worse when a player says something bad directed at our club, but even then many people didn't mind Eto'o signing for us at all - especially when he began scoring.

As long as the player performs and wins matches for us, even the "but he played for arsenal" people will shut up and support him. And I don't have much of a doubt that he will perform.

I think people on this forum were against the signing of Fabregas (me included) due to his 'history' with Lampard, rather than the fact that he's a former Arsenal player

I mean, we signed Ashley Cole all those years ago and he turned out to be brilliant...at one point, he was the best LB in the world

I don't mind players featuring for other clubs...but it hurts to see a club legend join a rival for 6 months

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I think people on this forum were against the signing of Fabregas (me included) due to his 'history' with Lampard, rather than the fact that he's a former Arsenal player

I mean, we signed Ashley Cole all those years ago and he turned out to be brilliant...at one point, he was the best LB in the world

I don't mind players featuring for other clubs... but it hurts to see a club legend join a rival for 6 months

[different level 1,056]

I know some people have talked about captaincy but you quoted me so I'll just leave it here that I never said such a thing. In addition to that, there are some players who are so good that you will just like them no matter where they are playing. And I have a weak spot for great midfielders, if we signed Pirlo, for instance, he'd be my favorite player from day one. I don't think favorite player is as tied to playing and winning for Chelsea as captaincy. I'm a football fan first and foremost - and I only came to be one because of players like Lampard, Fabregas, Zidane, Ronaldo...

Also I just don't give as much importance to players featuring for another clubs as some here do, that's why whilst not particularly pleased with Lampard playing for Shitty, I'm not overly concerned about it either. I just accept football transfers as what they are, business - particularly in this day and age. So I don't hold it against Fabregas his time playing for Arsenal or Barcelona. I find it many times worse when a player says something bad directed at our club, but even then many people didn't mind Eto'o signing for us at all - especially when he began scoring.

As long as the player performs and wins matches for us, even the "but he played for arsenal" people will shut up and support him. And I don't have much of a doubt that he will perform.

If you read the first part of my post again you'll see I have nothing against Fabregas (anymore). The moment he posed with the blue shirt changed everything and from then on he has my full support. I said I couldn't understand the majority of those who fell in love with him instantly and you gave a reasonable response:

I'm a football fan first and foremost - and I only came to be one because of players like Lampard, Fabregas, Zidane, Ronaldo...

...so fair play to that. I can't imagine why would someone who is first of all a Chelsea fan and has supported them through the noughties at least would prefer Cesc over a legend like JT for example.

Eto'o has made some negative comments for us in the past and so has Fabregas. I'm not trying to read too much into that to be honest. Football players say stuff to please the fans of their current team or it's just a burst of emotions related to some event in the past. I think they should be careful and never say publicly "I'll never play for XXXX" as you never know if this team won't be their best career option at some point. The media will surely try to use those outdated quotes as a beatstick.

[Spike 12,049]

The captain's armband is pointless really. A leader will lead reggardless of a piece of elastic. If Cesc is the leader people think he is, leading every match by example should be no problem sans armband.

[Fernando 6,465]

The captain's armband is pointless really. A leader will lead reggardless of a piece of elastic. If Cesc is the leader people think he is, leading every match by example should be no problem sans armband.

I remember when people was saying David Luiz was the next captain.

I'm like, men let the guy at least play for a full season!

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

The captain's armband is pointless really. A leader will lead reggardless of a piece of elastic.

Seems that not fitted with England NT

[Special Juan 27,429]

Fabregas: "It doesn’t matter if I’m just in front of defence or playing behind the strikers, they are the 2 positions I really enjoy"

[Korea 734]

Cesc is going to be the signing of the season in the epl....

On a side note, Arsenal probably wouldn't need cesc as much as Chelsea would. If I was manager/tech director and had limited funds, I would of done the same and use it on sanchez instead of cesc. However, I'm glad United didnt get cesc...

[zolayes 14,489]

I think people on this forum were against the signing of Fabregas (me included) due to his 'history' with Lampard, rather than the fact that he's a former Arsenal player

I mean, we signed Ashley Cole all those years ago and he turned out to be brilliant...at one point, he was the best LB in the world

I don't mind players featuring for other clubs...but it hurts to see a club legend join a rival for 6 months

I said at the time I was delighted we signed Cesc. NOT just to annoy the gooners but because the guy is PURE

class as a player

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Not sure if this has been posted yet.

"Fabregas is the player we need to modify a little bit the profile of our game, which we need," Mourinho added. "We want to give the next dimension to our game in midfield and Fabregas is this kind of player which I like to call 'the seven', because he's not the six and he's not the eight."

"Normally the seven is the winger, I also call the seven the guy in midfield who's not the six, he's not the eight. Or he's a six and eight at the same time. So he's a seven and we need him a lot."

First off, what the **** is he talking about lol? and secondly, where can I watch the interview where he said that? I'm assuming he means Cesc is a complete midfielder but I'm not entirely sure. At least he's confirmed he intends to play him in CM, Oscar can breathe a sigh of relief.

[stroey 2,525]

Not sure if this has been posted yet.

"Fabregas is the player we need to modify a little bit the profile of our game, which we need," Mourinho added. "We want to give the next dimension to our game in midfield and Fabregas is this kind of player which I like to call 'the seven', because he's not the six and he's not the eight."

"Normally the seven is the winger, I also call the seven the guy in midfield who's not the six, he's not the eight. Or he's a six and eight at the same time. So he's a seven and we need him a lot."

First off, what the **** is he talking about lol? and secondly, where can I watch the interview where he said that? I'm assuming he means Cesc is a complete midfielder but I'm not entirely sure. At least he's confirmed he intends to play him in CM, Oscar can breathe a sigh of relief.

Interview with Ferdinand, BT sports I thought.