80% of Barca fans would sell Fabregas to us for €30M

[Borys]

It’s understandable to have doubts if he would be good at playing in midfield of 2 in SAF and Moyes setup. However, I expect a change in our approach as far as CM is concerned, no matter who the new coach is.

I would take him over Kroos.

 

[sullydnl]

At this point I would not buy him, we have enough no.10's and I'm not sure he would be a good fit in a midfield 2.

Also when he has actually played midfield for Barca, (rarely, and I do mean rarely) hes been in a 3, not a 2 as we'd no doubt try and fit him in.

there's zero evidence that he'd automatically just drop right back into a midfield 2 like a glove,

What's the obsession with a midfield two? Van Gaal and Ancelotti are hardly 4-4-2 merchants.

 

[Rowem]

What's the basis in thinking for those who think he can't operate in a midfield 2 anymore? Do you think he forgot? He was playing in a midfield 2 for Arsenal at age 16, pretty sure he can still handle it.

Chances are, we won't play 4-4-2 next season anyway. But whatever formation we play, we'll be a much better team with Fabregas in our midfield than not.

Presuming we played 4231, would he be suited to playing in the 2? That's where the concern comes from. At Arsenal in his last 2-3 seasons they moved him to playing in the centre of the 3 in a 4231 with 2 CMs behind him. He flourished with that attacking license and less defensive responsibility.

I think he could move back into the 2 but I don't think it's how to get the best out of him. We need him less now than we did last summer (due to the Mata signing). I suppose it could work with a very mobile, purely defensive midfielder next to him, but I think if we signed him we would see him in AM with Mata wide, and Kagawa out in the cold.

 

[Shinjisan]

I'm not trying to compare Fellaini as a player, to the talent of Fabregas, I'm saying we purchased someone who wasn't playing the role we intended for him here at his original club and assumed he'd adapt back, similar to Fabreagas.
The same logic for Mata, saying he'd play well anywhere due to being such a good talent, yet we've seen him not being able to perform on the our right (despite the fact he used to play there at times for Valencia) compared to the no.10 role, just because a player has bundles of talent doesnt' autoamtically conclude they'll adapt to a differing role in a different side, is my point.

The player we actually needed, the one who would have fit like a glove, and played the same role was actually Modric.

Modric would have been fantastic. Sir Alex liked me too, surprised he didn't go for him before he was sold to Madrid.

I don't think it would be a problem for a talent like Fabregas to adjust back to the role in central midfield. He has played enough games in the position.

I think the Mata problem stems from different reasons. One being the slowness of our midfield and the general tempo of our games.

 

[sullydnl]

Presuming we played 4231, would he be suited to playing in the 2? That's where the concern comes from. At Arsenal in his last 2-3 seasons they moved him to playing in the centre of the 3 in a 4231 with 2 CMs behind him. He flourished with that attacking license and less defensive responsibility.

I think he could move back into the 2 but I don't think it's how to get the best out of him. We need him less now than we did last summer (due to the Mata signing). I suppose it could work with a very mobile, purely defensive midfielder next to him, but I think if we signed him we would see him in AM with Mata wide, and Kagawa out in the cold.

How about in the 3 of a 4321?

 

[FCBarca]

He's been underwhelming at Barca for a few reasons, but not being good enough isn't one of them IMO. I get the feeling that you lot thought that he was the answer to a declining Xavi, when he's a completely different type of player.

Ultimately, not good enough...which is exactly what I thought before he was brought back and why I never wanted him to return in the first place

Thiago >> Cesc which can be added to the list of indictments against this idiotic board

 

[Lynk]

He'd walk into our team, but honestly, I think he never reached the early potential he showed at Arsenal.

 

[BennyBlanco]

What's the obsession with a midfield two? Van Gaal and Ancelotti are hardly 4-4-2 merchants.

I would be ecstatic if we altered our approach next year under LvG towards a 433 or variables of it, but I believe he played a 4-2-3-1 at Bayern in his last job? but I digress, I'm simply saying, if we are to play with a 2 in the middle, (as has been the case), I'm not entirely certain Fabregas would be the nailed on brilliant purchase some are suggesting.

 

[Rowem]

How about in the 3 of a 4321?

Potentially, my only concern would be how would Mata/Kagawa perform playing slightly deeper:

Rooney
Welbeck ------------- Januzaj
Fabregas - Mata
Carrick
​

That would be brilliant if Mata is comfortable playing a bit deeper. I think it could work as Fabregas would add a bit more directness and drive which Mata and Kagawa lack.

 

[RDCR07]

He'd walk into our team, but honestly, I think he never reached the early potential he showed at Arsenal.

Thats because he doesn't fit the Barca system. He was played higher up as a #10 and sometimes even as a false 9. His preferred position is central midfield. He was never going to play there with Xavi and Busquets and till last year Thiago playing there.

 

[Kazi]

Ultimately, not good enough...which is exactly what I thought before he was brought back and why I never wanted him to return in the first place

Thiago >> Cesc which can be added to the list of indictments against this idiotic board

Personally don't think Thiago is a better player than Cesc, just more suited to Barcelona's style of play. Cesc was spoilt by Premier League football.

 

[Danny1982]

It would be a great buy for us imo, but I'm not willing to waste another Summer on the hope that we might be able to sign him. If we can wrap up the deal in a week or two (or get concrete words that he's for sale) then good, otherwise we shouldn't try too hard to pursue him.

 

[malappapper]

Ultimately, not good enough...which is exactly what I thought before he was brought back and why I never wanted him to return in the first place

Thiago >> Cesc which can be added to the list of indictments against this idiotic board

I was Cesc's greatest fan, but unfortunately, he has proven his critics right. He does not possess the close control, or necessary composure to be a Barcelona central midfielder.

I would sell him for around 45m euros to United or anyone else willing to pay that amount of money.

On the other hand, Thiago has still a lot to prove. I am not very unhappy he was sold.

 

[Crackers]

I really don't want to be a muppet for this guy too. I've too many players to muppet over this summer. I'll add him to the list.

 

[Danny1982]

I was Cesc's greatest fan, but unfortunately, he has proven his critics right. He does not possess the close control, or necessary composure to be a Barcelona central midfielder.

I would sell him for around 45m euros to United or anyone else willing to pay that amount of money.

On the other hand, Thiago has still a lot to prove. I am not very unhappy he was sold.

35.

 

[malappapper]

35.

How much for Fellaini or Mata again?

 

[sullydnl]

That would be brilliant if Mata is comfortable playing a bit deeper.

You'd think he'd be equipped for a slightly deeper role, wouldn't you? If we get a more tactically flexible manager we might see. After all, hasn't Ancelotti been happy to change Di Maria's role this season? You never know how him or Van Gaal might see players fitting in.

 

[Alock1]

This is the midfielder we need!

How can people think we don't need him? At Arsenal I thought he was the best player in the league and the ability to control the game as well goals/creativity from midfield is just what we need.

In 2010 he had 15 goals and 13 assists in 26 games for Arsenal in the league.

 

[Danny1982]

How much for Fellaini or Mata again?

Come on we're negotiating here. Didn't you sell Ibrahimovic for 24m? Everybody makes mistake, we're making a new deal here.

And Mata has been performing better in the last two years than Fabregas imo.

So, what do you say? 35?

EDIT: and by the way, you bought Fabregas himself (when he was in form) for 25m! Three years ago!

 

[peterstorey]

I was Cesc's greatest fan, but unfortunately, he has proven his critics right. He does not possess the close control, or necessary composure to be a Barcelona central midfielder.

That's bollox, Barca just don't play him in either of his proper positions.

 

[NoLogo]

For 30M I would take him in a heartbeat. Let him play deeper again and put some machine like Carvalho next to him to put some physicality in that area.

So listen to your fans dear Barca board.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Hhheeeyyy Cesc-y ladies.

He's coming, lads.

 

[Alock1]

That's bollox, Barca just don't play him in either of his proper positions.

This.

He's a brilliant player, absolutely brilliant. I wouldn't baulk at a 50m bid for him.

 

[malappapper]

Come on we're negotiating here. Didn't you sell Ibrahimovic for 24m? Everybody makes mistake, we're making a new deal here.

And Mata has been performing better in the last two years than Fabregas imo.

So, what do you say? 35?

EDIT: and by the way, you bought Fabregas himself (when he was in form) for 29m!

Because he had Barca DNA and so on and so forth.

And I really am sorry, but the inflated transfer market is a total bitch.

As for Ibra, were were desperate to offload, not so much with Cesc.

 

[Danny1982]

Because he had Barca DNA and so on and so forth.

And I really am sorry, but the inflated transfer market is a total bitch.

As for Ibra, were were desperate to offload, not so much with Cesc.

Give me somebody of those 80% to negotiate with!

 

[Borys]

This is the midfielder we need!

How can people think we don't need him? At Arsenal I thought he was the best player in the league and the ability to control the game as well goals/creativity from midfield is just what we need.

In 2010 he had 15 goals and 13 assists in 26 games for Arsenal in the league.

I feel the same way. He didn't fit at Barca, but he is the type of player that you want to build your midfield around. Just make others play that way we can get the best of him, it's not that our midfield does anything worth notice anyway.

 

[#07]

That's bollox, Barca just don't play him in either of his proper positions.

Have to agree with this. The idea that Cesc isn't good enough is clearly not true.

The difference is Barcelona's style is slower, more methodical and less direct than virtually any other team on earth. Everyone at Barca is close together, everything is about measured moves built up slowly that suddenly speed up when opposing players are moved out of the way. Cesc's game was always built on the rapid transition and the beautifully weighted through ball. Not the Barca waltz of slow, slow, quick, quick, slow but a high tempo hip hop style.

Give Cesc runners to hit instead of people coming short, and surround him with pace and power and Fabregas will quickly remind people how great he is. Just because his strengths aren't suited to Tiki Taka it doesn't mean he's a bad player. Arguably Schweinsteiger and Martinez were better suited to Heynckes system than Pep's, does that make them bad players?

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Fabregas is a Premier League midfielder, I suspect he knows that.

 

[malappapper]

For 30M I would take him in a heartbeat. Let him play deeper again and put some machine like Carvalho next to him to put some physicality in that area.

So listen to your fans dear Barca board.

Barca fans don't have the slightest clue how loaded with cash the English teams are. I would be happy to see Cesc leave, but only for serious money. If United do not cough up, there is always Arsenal (how much for Ozil did the Gunners unload?) City, Chelsea, teams that will be in the CL as well. There are also PSG and Juventus. If the Barcelona board have even an ounce of intelligence, they can get very good money for him.

 

[#07]

Fabregas is a Premier League midfielder, I suspect he knows that.

Even if he played at Real Madrid, with Bale and Ronaldo as options to hit time after time, he'd thrive.

Its just the Barcelona way is so all embracing, so inflexibly rigid that Cesc's having to reshape his game and hold back on the quick, arrowed, direct passes he's superb at.

At virtually any other club on earth Cesc would be looking like a Titan among mortals.

 

[malappapper]

Give me somebody of those 80% to negotiate with!

They are just readers of sport.es, they are not the FCB board. But the good thing for you is that they (board) have not shown to be much more astute than the average football fan.

 

[Jev]

I'm not sure he'd even be a success. Think Barca have ruined him. He looks a shadow of his old self.

 

[malappapper]

Even if he played at Real Madrid, with Bale and Ronaldo as options to hit time after time, he'd thrive.

Its just the Barcelona way is so all embracing, so inflexibly rigid that Cesc's having to reshape his game and hold back on the quick, arrowed, direct passes he's superb at.

At virtually any other club on earth Cesc would be looking like a Titan among mortals.

There is definitely an element of truth there.

 

[united_99]

Barca are not selling Fabregas, and least of all now when Xavi is almost finished. Fabregas might be unpopular with the fans, but he is very popular with the players (and with the board as well it seems).

 

[malappapper]

Barca are not selling Fabregas, and least of all now when Xavi is almost finished. Fabregas might be unpopular with the fans, but he is very popular with the players (and with the board as well it seems).

Everyone in Barcelona is talking about selling Cesc now. The media most of all. But, without a good offer (which I feel they can easily get from any number of clubs) he will not be sold.

Edit: Xavi is not seen as a potential starter for the next season either. The number one aim of the club, is to bring in Arturo Vidal for that position.

 

[Lu Tze]

Carvalho-Fabregas would be an excellent partnership I imagine. Carvalho with Kroos and Fabregas in front of him...now that midfield 3 would take the world by storm.

 

[Tarrou]

Presuming we played 4231, would he be suited to playing in the 2? That's where the concern comes from. At Arsenal in his last 2-3 seasons they moved him to playing in the centre of the 3 in a 4231 with 2 CMs behind him. He flourished with that attacking license and less defensive responsibility.

I think he could move back into the 2 but I don't think it's how to get the best out of him. We need him less now than we did last summer (due to the Mata signing). I suppose it could work with a very mobile, purely defensive midfielder next to him, but I think if we signed him we would see him in AM with Mata wide, and Kagawa out in the cold.

I think he'd be brilliant there next to a good solid defensive mid.

 

[Dante]

Not so embarrassing anymore, is it?

 

[united_99]

Everyone in Barcelona is talking about selling Cesc now. The media most of all. But, without a good offer (which I feel they can easily get from any number of clubs) he will not be sold.

Edit: Xavi is not seen as a potential starter for the next season either. The number one aim of the club, is to bring in Arturo Vidal for that position.

Well, it depends if you can get Vidal, if he wants to leave you won't be the only one interested in him. I can imagine Barca might have learnt something from the last few years and now might be slightly willing to change their style a bit and make it a bit more direct. They even might have to do it as they will hardly find another Xavi-Iniesta combo. Plus I don't know if Vidal would suit Barca 100 % either. Who else? Koke is brilliant, but he is also much more direct than Barca like to have, he would face similar problems to Fabregas. Something tells me despite all the media speculation that Barca won't give up on Fabregas for at least a couple of more years and would rather change their style a bit. But then again I could be completely wrong.

 

[coolredwine]

We are back with this, aye?

This won't end well. I am telling you.