Cesc Fàbregas

[Dion 2,476]

I think had Mikel not come on and we went on to draw/lose people would be all over Jose for closing the game down.

Managers just don't win with fans because everyone is just so sure that the hypothetical outcomes of his/her conclusions are facts.

Yeah, hindsight is a bitch. We cannot know what would have happened if we went for scoring the second with more intent, maybe we would have conceded two and lost the game, then people would complain why couldn't Jose just settle for the 3 points 1-0, greedy as fuck and all that. IMO in long championships by points it's better to play it safe, it's all about consistency and playing it smart against the teams who are contending for first place. Jose knows this and that's what makes his teams so strong in domestic leagues. Maybe not the best choice spectacle-wise but certainly efficient. One point away is huge as long as we can grab 3 at home.

I'm actually more worried about how we played than about the result. I think the draw was really good but I expected a lot more control from our midfield. If Oscar and Cesc play like this against sides whose midfielders are both physically imposing and technically gifted we're going to get slaughtered.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Yeah, hindsight is a bitch. We cannot know what would have happened if we went for scoring the second with more intent, maybe we would have conceded two and lost the game, then people would complain why couldn't Jose just settle for the 3 points 1-0, greedy as fuck and all that. IMO in long championships by points it's better to play it safe, it's all about consistency and playing it smart against the teams who are contending for first place. Jose knows this and that's what makes his teams so strong in domestic leagues. Maybe not the best choice spectacle-wise but certainly efficient. One point away is huge as long as we can grab 3 at home.

I'm actually more worried about how we played than about the result. I think the draw was really good but I expected a lot more control from our midfield. If Oscar and Cesc play like this against sides whose midfielders are both physically imposing and technically gifted we're going to get slaughtered.

Exactly that. It's about what is most likely to get the points in a certain situation. NOTHING guarantees you a win in any given situation, but Jose's methods have been proven to give his teams the most likely hood.

Regarding Oscar and Cesc, I think it was more of a one-game-off kind of thing for them. Even Mikel was pretty bad when he came on. Willian.....was his usual self in the final third decision making.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

I'll say my view.

We will win the league, in large part because cesc is a great flat track bully. Out of the 30 teams, he will orchestrate or kill off at least 15 with a controlling performance and killer through ball.

Arsenal, he played amazing. But arsenal is not city, is not united in style of play. I don't think Fabregas is the type to sit deep and ORCHESTRATE a midfield, but brings an intelligence movement. Fellani is not a great midfielder but kept him out the game completely. Although, this was his first real game with drogba which changed the dynamics.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I'll say my view.

We will win the league, in large part because cesc is a great flat track bully. Out of the 30 teams, he will orchestrate or kill off at least 15 with a controlling performance and killer through ball.

Arsenal, he played amazing. But arsenal is not city, is not united in style of play. I don't think Fabregas is the type to sit deep and ORCHESTRATE a midfield, but brings an intelligence movement. Fellani is not a great midfielder but kept him out the game completely. Although, this was his first real game with drogba which changed the dynamics.

Random comment is random, and maybe it's just me, but I get the impression that Drogba and Cesc don't get along. Cesc seems uncomfortable in Drogba's presence and Drogba kind of looks...I don't know, condescending or something. IDK, they don't seem to have any chemistry on and off the pitch. Or maybe it just seems so because Cesc and Diego have amazing chemistry. Hope I'm wrong.

[Rom2013 446]

Fabregas can have one bad game, he can have 10 in reality. Because he performs really well 20 times a season. With Costa by far the best two players of the season.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Random comment is random, and maybe it's just me, but I get the impression that Drogba and Cesc don't get along. Cesc seems uncomfortable in Drogba's presence and Drogba kind of looks...I don't know, condescending or something. IDK, they don't seem to have any chemistry on and off the pitch. Or maybe it just seems so because Cesc and Diego have amazing chemistry. Hope I'm wrong.

To be fair, Didier probably caused some real psychological damage to all Arsenal players of the last decade or so. Cesc probably just gets scary flashbacks every time he sees him!

[Daniel1980 1,425]

To be fair, Didier probably caused some real psychological damage to all Arsenal players of the last decade or so. Cesc probably just gets scary flashbacks every time he sees him!

You're joking, but you might not be that far from the truth.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I get the impression Didier doesn't completely accept Cesc as a Chelsea player. Their dynamic is very different from the one Diego and Cesc have, or even the one Remy and Cesc have. When Cesc talks to Costa and Remy on the pitch, he seems to be the one telling them what to do. He looks confident and in control.

With Drogba it's the opposite: Drogba always seems to be telling Cesc what to do or that he's doing something wrong. I don't know, maybe it's a clash of egos, but Cesc looks uncomfortable and thrown off-balance around Drogba.

Maybe I'm wrong, but either way, Costa needs to get back on the pitch ASAP.

[Barbara 15,149]

wow... that's well... you guys (some of you) must have chicken poop in your brains

In all seriousness, who cares how he left Barcelona in a team he's never fit? Also let's not start this BS he only plays against small teams. He was amazing marking and pressing against City, although didn't create much - but that's not his fault, it was how he were set up. He played well against Arsenal, against Everton. today he had a bad day in the office, I don't think I could give him any excuses, but that's it.

And did I just read he isn't much of an upgrade to Mata in terms of tracking back? I've read all kind of stupidity and bs on this forum, but things are getting out of control lately.

[Jase 43,479]

Oh dear. Just realized Fabregas has already picked up 4 yellow cards in the league this season

[mikeholiday 209]

Poor first half. I felt maybe he should have been taken off if only Oscar didn't get a yellow.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Oh dear. Just realized Fabregas has already picked up 4 yellow cards in the league this season

So if he gets booked vs QPR, he misses the Liverpool game? That's bad.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Fabregas has been playing in every match, doesn't he? Really need a rest. Hope he is not playing in cup game.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Don't cry mr stat man. Just smoke some ganja.

Fed up of your shit especially.

Shut the door on the way out.

[Jase 43,479]

So if he gets booked vs QPR, he misses the Liverpool game? That's bad.

Play him in the last 10 minutes against Shrewsbury and get him booked. Misses QPR game, back against Liverpool. We should be able to beat QPR without him..

[mikeholiday 209]

Play him in the last 10 minutes against Shrewsbury and get him booked. Misses QPR game, back against Liverpool. We should be able to beat QPR without him..

Think Jose did this with Real before. Xabi and Ramos got themselves booked. But i think UEFA was on to it.

[Jase 43,479]

Think Jose did this with Real before. Xabi and Ramos got themselves booked. But i think UEFA was on to it.

That was too obvious because if I remember correctly, they wasted time on purpose by taking ages to take the goal kicks/free kicks. Could just get Fabregas to hack down someone or two.

[Beepu 1,714]

Don't cry mr stat man. Just smoke some ganja.

Nike, bro......

[DH1988 1,273]

I'd play him against Shrews (Start him, get him booked and then take him off), less suspicious that way¬!