Cesc Fàbregas

[Pizy 18,538]

That haircut makes him look about 40.

I really don't like our training gear. Pretty ugly, tbh.

[sdrcfc 461]

No Cesc. You must return to your previous hair with that glorious beard.

[bababoom 4,478]

Will we get interviews from them today?

[Styles 9,790]

That's a very odd haircut for him. Did he lose a bet or something?

He's balding, he doesn't really have much choice.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I was wondering why he's been wearing a cap all the time lately.

I think he hates this haircut more than we do.

[Jase 43,479]

To sum it up:

Mata's advantages:

1) He's faster and has a better acceleration

2) he's possibly more direct

3) he's a better dribbler (alright, this is arguable)

Cesc's advantages:

1) He's better at possession. He can slow the game down if needed and dictate the tempo.

2) His passing range is much superior to Mata's(his long balls are as good as his shot ones).

3) Mata is no slouch either, but Cesc is still a better final ball provider, has a better vision and creativity. Objective fact. Despite not having his best season, he still created the most clear-cut chances in Europe last season, had the most through balls in Europe too.

I get what you're saying but not sure if it's fair to say Fabregas has the advantage over Mata when it comes to dictating the tempo and slowing the game if needed. They both can do it but just in a different way. Mata is essentially an advanced playmaker, who dictates the tempo, creates and makes things happen in the final third while Fabregas, although capable of playing as a CAM, is better at doing so in deeper positions/from centre midfield area. And generally, when that's the case, it's obvious to say Fabregas would have a better passing range is better than Mata's but mind you, he's no slouch either when it comes to executing long balls. These aren't exactly bad, are they?

As for saying Fabregas is a better final ball provider, better vision and creativity, not sure if that is said because we have him now and not Mata. As far as I remember, many were wax lyrical about that when he was still with us in the past and not to mention, he also boasted similar stats like the one you stated about Fabregas.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

As for saying Fabregas is a better final ball provider, better vision and creativity, not sure if that is said because we have him now and not Mata. As far as I remember, many were wax lyrical about that when he was still with us in the past and not to mention, he also boasted similar stats like the one you stated about Fabregas.

It has nothing to do with Fabregas or Mata playing for us or not. Quite objectively, Fabregas is the better final ball provider, better long ball and through ball passer and creator and has been for many years. Hell, he's still the top through ball passer in the PL despite leaving 3 years ago. That's insane.

I don't remember Mata ever topping through-ball charts or clear-cut chances charts in Europe. He's not a better final ball provider. Objectively.

[Pizy 18,538]

Can we stop talking about Mata now? Making me sad.

Still refuse to watch United matches most of the time because I can't stand seeing him in that shirt.

[Jype 6,398]

At least in that one picture he looks a lot like Javier Mascherano with that haircut.

[Jase 43,479]

It has nothing to do with Fabregas or Mata playing for us or not. Quite objectively, Fabregas is the better final ball provider, better long ball and through ball passer and creator and has been for many years. Hell, he's still the top through ball passer in the PL despite leaving 3 years ago. That's insane.

I don't remember Mata ever topping through-ball charts or clear-cut chances charts in Europe. He's not a better final ball provider. Objectively.

You said the most in Europe but then gave a stat in the Premier League? And I said similar, not the 'same'. Didn't Mata at one point was amongst the top 5 in Europe for assists and chances created (even if that stat is flawed a bit)? Moreover, that stat you posted is on through ball but how does that show that he's the better final ball provider, better in executing long balls and even chances created?

Just for interest though, would like to see a detailed stats for all those aspects you mentioned on the creative players around Europe for say in the last 5 years. Do you happen to know about it?

[AndersonBLUE 819]

This could go two ways:

He will provide godlike through-balls like we hope...

Or he will be passing sideways a lot. I really hope we don't play a possession game like Arsenal does currently.

[Jase 43,479]

Can we stop talking about Mata now? Making me sad.

Still refuse to watch United matches most of the time because I can't stand seeing him in that shirt.

Like I said, blame Peace.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

You said the most in Europe but then gave a stat in the Premier League?

He's the best at through balls in the PL, and La Liga and Europe. I hate repeating myself. I already posted the information on Europe. But here it is again, if you don't believe me:

Top 20 players who made the most accurate through balls in 2013-2014 season in Top 5 European leagues (whoscored's data):

1 Cesc Fabregas 0.7 (24 in total)

2 David Silva 0.6 (16)

3 Isco 0.5 (16)

4 Luis Suárez 0.5 (16)

5 Roberto Firmino 0.5 (16)

6 Henrikh Mkhita... 0.5 (14)

7 Francesco Totti 0.4 (11)

8 Jack Wilshere 0.4 (10)

9 Andrea Pirlo 0.4 (12)

10 Ander Herrera 0.4 (13)

11 Philippe Coutinho 0.4

12 Aaron Ramsey 0.4

13 Mesut Özil 0.4

14 Reyes 0.4

15 Andrés Iniesta 0.4

16 Johan Cavalli 0.4

17 Yohan Cabaye 0.4

18 Xavi 0.4

19 Lionel Messi 0.4

20 Antonio Cassano 0.4

Mata isn't even in Top 20(and this is a per match stat, so it doesn't matter how many games he played)

Moreover, that stat you posted is on through ball but how does that show that he's the better final ball provider, better in executing long balls and even chances created?

I think the correlation between clear-cut chances created and being a better final ball provider couldn't be more obvious.

The definition of a clear cut chance is ‘A situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score usually in a one-on-one scenario or from very close range.’

Clear-cut chances created stat is the best stat for determining the best final ball provider. I'm not sure what more proof you want.

[Jase 43,479]

He's the best at through balls in the PL, and La Liga and Europe. I hate repeating myself. I already posted the information on Europe. But here it is again, if you don't believe me:

Top 20 players who made the most accurate through balls in 2013-2014 season in Top 5 European leagues (whoscored's data):

1 Cesc Fabregas 0.7 (24 in total)

2 David Silva 0.6 (16)

3 Isco 0.5 (16)

4 Luis Suárez 0.5 (16)

5 Roberto Firmino 0.5 (16)

6 Henrikh Mkhita... 0.5 (14)

7 Francesco Totti 0.4 (11)

8 Jack Wilshere 0.4 (10)

9 Andrea Pirlo 0.4 (12)

10 Ander Herrera 0.4 (13)

11 Philippe Coutinho 0.4

12 Aaron Ramsey 0.4

13 Mesut Özil 0.4

14 Reyes 0.4

15 Andrés Iniesta 0.4

16 Johan Cavalli 0.4

17 Yohan Cabaye 0.4

18 Xavi 0.4

19 Lionel Messi 0.4

20 Antonio Cassano 0.4

Mata isn't even in Top 20.

I think the correlation between clear-cut chances created and being a better final ball provider couldn't be more obvious.

The definition of a clear cut chance is ‘A situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score usually in a one-on-one scenario or from very close range.’

Clear-cut chances created stat is the best stat for determining the best final ball provider. I'm not sure what more proof you want.

If you are gonna only take last season's stats, then obviously Fabregas would win it. Mata hardly even played consistently in the entire season.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

If you are gonna only take last season's stats, then obviously Fabregas would win it. Mata hardly even played consistently in the entire season.

The through ball chart is a per match stat, so it doesn't matter how many games he played.

[Jase 43,479]

The through ball chart is a per match stat, so it doesn't matter how many games he played.

Yeah but if the numbers are still high even after more games are added, then the stat will look even more impressive and to the point, no?

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

I think he hates this haircut more than we do.

Daniella Semaan made sure he gets no pussy while on the European tour haha

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Yeah but if the numbers are still high even after more games are added, then the stat will look even more impressive and to the point, no?

Juan Mata in 2013-2014:

15 appearances for MU, through ball rate 0.3 (5 through balls in total)

13 appearances for Chelsea, through ball rate 0.2 (3 through balls in total)

I think 28 appearances is more than enough to get an accurate data. Mata has never been a through ball master for us. In 2012-2013 season, he played 35 games for us and his through ball rate was 0.2 (8 through balls in total). Compare it to Cesc's through ball's rate of 0.7 (24 through balls in total). It's not even worth comparing. Cesc is obviously a more creative passer.