Cesc Fàbregas

[The Skipper 20,593]

A few posts on the subject from Barcelona fans(April-May 2014):

Well, he'll have Costa at Chelsea. In fact, Jose probably bought Cesc with Costa in mind. Hopefully they'll have a good chemistry.

Costa AND Schurrle.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

"Fabregas is not a good dribbler"

Explain this then:

[Special Juan 27,104]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152656029837259&set=a.217015422258.132731.86037497258&type=1&theater

Cesc and Torres.

[Stats 6,982]

"Fabregas is not a good dribbler"

Explain this then:

What that also shows is that is acceleration on the ball is very good as well. He done a similar thing against Milan where he used exceptional dribbling and acceleration of the ball to score a goal. His acceleration and dribbling on the ball is underrated.

[coolhead23 1,146]

"Fabregas is not a good dribbler"

Explain this then:

One off !!! :P

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Cesc cut his hair. According to a Facebook comment, that's Filipe and Diego Costa in th background. Now I don't know how anyone can come to that conclusion.

[Ledg 639]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152656029837259&set=a.217015422258.132731.86037497258&type=1&theater

Cesc and Torres.

Costa and Luis too at the far end.

@MrExcalibur100, You can recognize Luis by the long hair.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Cesc cut his hair. According to a Facebook comment, that's Filipe and Diego Costa in th background. Now I don't know how anyone can come to that conclusion.

It could be tbh:

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

It could be tbh:

It's them. The guy with the long hair at the back is also holding a jersey.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

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

[Pizy 17,860]

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 17,860]

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.