Can't help but think if he left he'd go back to arsenal. We're not in the CL. Arsenal are...and they're ALWAYS BUYING BLOODY MIDFIELDERS!
80% of Barca fans would sell Fabregas to us for €30M
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
I hope we at least test their resolve again this summer with a £40m bid.
He would be am epic signing for us. I can't think of any one remotely realistic that would be a better signings.
Fabregas, Carvahlo and Shaw would be a superb start to the window
Agree.
I'd put someone like Fabregas above any other signing this summer if there was any sniff of him being available, and him not being interested in going to Arsenal.
The fans above talking about him not being needed, or there being other priorities, bloody hell, what are they on.
Hang on son, aren't Everton a mere 1 point off with 3 games left? Not quite certain yet.
But that'll be to come 4th, where they keep finishing. They've been fortunate we've dropped out of it.
With the right manager, why won't we overtake them next year?
Sorry I was being presumptuous.
However if it became a straight choice between Utd and them...i still think he'd choose them. Sadly Edit: As regarding overtaking Arsenal. For me even now.. With the squad we have we could overtake them...but Fabregas's preference may more be emotionally based than monetary based. Especially considering how unloved he is at Barca.
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Never go back they say.
He left them because they were miles off ever winning the league, and still are. And now they have Ozil, Ramsay, Cazorla, Wilshere to fit in centrally as it is. Not to mention Wenger needing a top striker. Surely a £40m lash on an unneeded (for them) mid would be madness.
There must have been something in all that speculation last year. People overlook the massive change of their manager leaving. The old one was more open to a deal, the new one instantly re-assured him he was a massive part of the plans, and it was off.
If Barce are looking for a new manager, it's again a 50-50.
He left them because they were miles off ever winning the league, and still are. And now they have Ozil, Ramsay, Cazorla, Wilshere to fit in centrally as it is. Not to mention Wenger needing a top striker. Surely a £40m lash on an unneeded (for them) mid would be madness.
There must have been something in all that speculation last year. People overlook the massive change of their manager leaving. The old one was more open to a deal, the new one instantly re-assured him he was a massive part of the plans, and it was off.
If Barce are looking for a new manager, it's again a 50-50.
If the other CM purchase was someone genuinely defensive, like Carvalho (I say this based on what I've read about him here, personally I've only seen highlights videos), then Fabregas would work as a CM signing. The pair of them, with Fabregas in the deeper Arsenal role which Barca have inexplicably still not given to him, would surely have enough balance as the 2 in a 4231. And we could bring Carrick in alongside them if we played 433.
Obviously I wouldn't say no to any chance of Fabregas whether it's possible or not. But on Mata...
There is an argument that he is best facing the play. Being a no:10 does sometimes require a player to have his back to play. Something that isn't really his strength. To say he can't play central midfield is a bit untrue. If mata was at barca you know they'd play or at least try to accommodate him in a 3 man central midfield. Xavi, Pusquets and Mata. Might seem odd to the untrained eye, but not so much when you consider Mata's skillset...and what areas of the pitch he could best use those skills most effectively.
He at heart is more a midfielder than a foward. But I can be honest and say I don't have the proof to back up all my thoughts... But like anything in life...Don't try Won't know. All probably irrelevant till we find out what system the new managers going to play next season anyway.
Don't know why people keep saying he hasn't played deeper for Barcelona. He has plenty of times, never really looked capable of fitting into the style though. Which isn't really a massive criticism, plenty of quality players have struggled to fit in. They've already moved Iniesta, Neymar and Messi out of position just so he could start in the big games so I'm not sure what more he could ask for really.
I would agree but I also think Arsenal ruined him for Barcelona, ultimately, as well. A big reason why the club was smart to resist loans like they are doing now, no preparation compares to the one you get within the club. Rafinha has a shot to relieve the departure of Cesc but they would need to sign a box to box in Vidal or Kroos to really improve off his sale
That's true, I agree that cesc leaving for arsenal made it hard for him to succeed at Barcelona. I would say that it is hard for a lot of players that didn't come from the clubs youth system to fit into the teams style of play, even if they are a very talented individual. Its unbelievable how a defensive midfielder like busquets (who while an absolute world class player, is definitely rated the lowest out of xavi and iniesta) has a much better first touch and control in tight spaces than cesc has. If fabregas stayed in the youth system he probably would have the great touch the other barca midfielders have and would be one of the main players in barcas midfield. Another example would be how alexis (at first, he has improved big time this year) and neymar whom I am sure many would rate higher than pedro struggle at first (I am also very sure that neymar will be a success in the end), whereas pedro integrated into the team very easily after a few apppearances in 08-09 and was a starter in 09-10 and was playing well and scoring regularly. Barca will have to be wise with who they sign this summer, especially with the ban looming (if it actually happens that is).
Nice post Raul. I wonder if you remember how differently Pedro played when he was first played under Rijkaard and then initially with Pep. It's a key summer for Barcelona, the biggest since '03 IMHO
I remember thinking what a waste of time it was to build a buy-back clause into Cesc's move to Barcelona. How wrong I was.
I don't really see why he'd want to play in the Europa League or live in Manchester but who knows?
I don't really see why he'd want to play in the Europa League or live in Manchester but who knows?
I don't get a buy back clause, what is it?
Arsenal made him into a world-class player who could run the game at the Bernabeu at 17. Barca have turned him into a so-so squad player at 26.
If we offer the amount in his contract Barca have to sell him back to us and then it will be down to the player if he wants to join.
I do wonder what he will do because I'm sure he is desperate to do well there, he took a wage cut and waived bonuses to leave Arsenal. I don't think he will continue with all this booing though and the fans simply can't let go of their dislike. Guy has 13 goals and 15 assists this season and he gets booed!
He had an immaculate first touch at Arsenal so not sure I agree with that, I would agree with him not really being up to scratch with playing in tight spaces. I think another problem with him is his lack of mobility and his natural game is to look up and look for the through pass. At Barca it is a lot more patient and about moving the ball around before finding that pass, at Arsenal so many times he would get the ball and his second touch would be the through ball. Much more suited to a counter attacking team.
He'd be a lot better in your team than Barca's that is for sure!
It angers me the sheer amount of rubbish posted about Fabregas. He's absolutely top class. Peerless in his time in the PL.
Barcelona have neutered him more than anything. They haven't let him express his full talent by playing him out of position and generally getting annoyed he doesn't want to pass the ball backwards all the time. Fabregas' directness and eye for a through ball is his world class trait. His touch is also impeccable.
Barcelona have neutered him more than anything. They haven't let him express his full talent by playing him out of position and generally getting annoyed he doesn't want to pass the ball backwards all the time. Fabregas' directness and eye for a through ball is his world class trait. His touch is also impeccable.
He was a superb player at Arsenal, one of my favourite players at that time. His eye for a pass was flawless and it was a joy watching him back then. That's not to say he is not a good player now, but it's clear he just doesn't suit their style. Lots of players find it hard to adapt to their style of play so he's not to blame for that. It does seem like the fans have had enough of him which is a damn shame considering how much he wanted to go back there. It hasn't helped him being played as a false #9 a lot of the time.
A move away might be the best solution for him in order to return to his former best. Can't see Arsenal taking him back now though. Thing is, would he move to another English club considering his connection with Arsenal?
A move away might be the best solution for him in order to return to his former best. Can't see Arsenal taking him back now though. Thing is, would he move to another English club considering his connection with Arsenal?
@alastair, Whether your angry or not, you're still wrong about this. He has played in his proper position plenty but hasn't looked comfortable. He's been far too slow at turning with the ball so as soon as he's pressed he ends up losing the ball. He can play a through ball in a counter attack as well as anybody but against a packed defence he can't match Iniesta's final ball. Oh and his touch is ropey, relative to his team mates at least - I've lost count of how many attacks end with him because of his touch in tight spaces...much harder to control then compared to in England.
Again though, he'd be brilliant for anyone but Barcelona. He's just not at the level of ability you need to have for Barcelona to build a team that covers his weaknesses.
Again though, he'd be brilliant for anyone but Barcelona. He's just not at the level of ability you need to have for Barcelona to build a team that covers his weaknesses.
Even if the fans want him to be sold to us, unfortunately that's not what counts.
If the poll was posted publicly and it was obvious that he was losing the fans, then Barcelona may not seem like the paradise he has so far seen it as.
Then his reasons for staying would vanish and he would probably be keen to move.
I can imagine Arsenal still being his first choice though and then maybe us.
Then his reasons for staying would vanish and he would probably be keen to move.
I can imagine Arsenal still being his first choice though and then maybe us.
Tend to agree with this. When I think of the player Barcelona needs it is a good passer but specifically one who can carve perfect through balls under pressure in tight spaces. You need to excel in tight control, pinpoint and exact weight passes, and an eye for seeing passed through a tight angle. You've got to be fast in decision making too.
Fabregas is good at these roles but I think he is better suited for a team that plays like us, which looks to stretch the play and exploit space. Still need to e a good passer, but it's a subtle yetcolossal difference. He has just that extra time on the ball.
We could offer a lot more in terms of wages. I also doubt Arsenal will spend a large chunk of any transfer budget in the position they need to strengthen least. They did that last summet and its cost them. They need a forward before they do anything.
He's been given the odd game there, and over the years he's been there now that amounts to a fair few games, yes. But he's never really been given a shot at the position. Which made sense when it was Xavi's, but it does strike me as odd to see them fretting over who will succeed Xavi there given that they have a ready-made replacement right under their noses.
Perhaps he didn't suit the job when their tiki-taka was so purist, first under Guardiola and arguably even more so under Vilanova. But the sort of variety which Martino has tried (with mixed success) to inject into their game-plan is right up Fabregas' street - more directness in attack, long diagonal passes out wide to stretch the play, and the threat of clever little balls over the top. Controlled possession football with some of those elements thrown in is a pretty perfect description of what Fabregas excelled at for Arsenal. They should be giving him a real shot at being Xavi's successor.
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He's top class and just doesn't fit their system.
The thing that annoys me about Barca fans is that they make out that because he doesn't fit their system, he's not good enough for them. Like they have this elite way of playing football that is "right" and if you can't fit in you're "wrong". I don't think Vidal would fit too well in their system either but he's up there with the top midfielders in the world, top 3 I would say.
You put Cesc in that Madrid side instead of Modric and he would be fecking fantastic (I don;t want to compare him with Modric ability wise, merely put him in his position in that team). His speed of thought and vison and natural instinct to get play moving and find key passes would really stand out there.
Yep, they need a lot of things before a midfielder. A top quality striker to compete with Giroud, a fast winger so they aren't so reliant on Walcott in terms of pace and directness, some better back-up at CB and LB.
That said, Wenger would probably see Fabregas as a unique one-off sort of signing if he became available. Arguably the most disappointing of all the big-name departures in his more recent years. I'm sure they'd see getting him back as a statement of intent as well as just a brilliant acquisition.
Don't Arsenal have some sort of first option on him if he was to leave Barca? Wenger knows how good he is and would never let him slip. Imagine him and Ozil and Wilshere in the same team on a good day.
I think he is second to no other midfielder out there potential wise. Easily Pirlo/Modric level on his best days. Can play both advanced and more as a deep lying playmaker.
People saying he never lived up to his potential are retarded. The man has given assists in the last World Cup final and in the the last Euro final, and he's only just about to become 27 years old. His game relies zero on pace, so he could easily play until Scholes/Pirlo's age on the highest level.
If we sign him, it's up there with the Cantona/Ronaldo/Rooney/Van Persie signings, would be absolutely the best thing that could ever happen imho.
I think he is second to no other midfielder out there potential wise. Easily Pirlo/Modric level on his best days. Can play both advanced and more as a deep lying playmaker.
People saying he never lived up to his potential are retarded. The man has given assists in the last World Cup final and in the the last Euro final, and he's only just about to become 27 years old. His game relies zero on pace, so he could easily play until Scholes/Pirlo's age on the highest level.
If we sign him, it's up there with the Cantona/Ronaldo/Rooney/Van Persie signings, would be absolutely the best thing that could ever happen imho.
I agree with your point - just worth pointing out that Modric himself has been absolutely superb for Madrid this season. He's been one of the best midfielders in the world this season without drawing as much attention as some of the Bayern boys have.
(I know you said you weren't making a comparison. I just can't help myself. I bloody love Modric.)
I agree with parts of that post, but not all. Firstly, Cesc wasn't and never will be a ready-made replacement for Xavi. That's not a criticism of him, he just isn't suited to take over from Xavi in the same way Xavi wouldn't have been suited to do what Cesc did at Arsenal. No one is really suitable to take over though - not him, not Thiago, not Iniesta, not Busquets. So (while you didn't directly say it) I agree there's going to have to be a big shift in tactics to adjust to a post-Xavi team, and Cesc may be possibility be crucial to how they overcome the problem.
I'm not sure why you say even more so under Vilanova because that was when the departure from "tiki-taka" started and that's when the pressing game disappeared from the Barcelona team. But anyway, onto Martino's team. This season is exactly what I mean about why Cesc isn't good enough to be building the team around - in the first half of the season Martino tried to play far more direct football, and Cesc shined. The problem is they were relying on individual moments of quality to bail them out because the overall tactics were geared to getting the best out of the direct players like Cesc and Alexis. Messi, Xavi and Iniesta looked lost, which is not what you'd want...why build around Cesc when it doesn't get the best out of your key players? In the second half of the season he changed it again so that Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc and Messi all played but they just took up the same spaces so it never really worked.
The other problem you have is that it's a lot easier to play the style of football you suggest they move to when you're Arsenal. Not because of the players, but because teams playing against Arsenal don't camp on the edge of their box as often as they do against Barcelona. How can you play clever balls over the top like Cesc loves to do when there's no room in behind to play them?
They would be shit defensively. Thats like us playing Mata behind the striker and Rooney & Kagawa playing behind them in central midfield.
Yeah probably. But Ozil could play on the right, or they could play some sort of free flowing set-up like city with a holding midfielder. They could also buy a world class defender next summer. Imagine if Arsenal resign Fabregas and Song for 40 million and then add a defender who's better than Mertesacker.
Just having a nightmare that Van Persie might consider to rejoin them then, even if he has to play for free, and even though he likes van Gaal. As Arsene Wengers farewell present or something, and inspired by Liverpools claim to the title and Arsenal having Champions league football.
Is it fair to say that Barca are likely to shift one or two of their players this summer? Specifically a few assists that could fetch good money but are not considering vital to the current XI?
Fabregas could fetch £40m from a PL team based on his reputation for Arsenal.
Hope we go for him again.
Fabregas could fetch £40m from a PL team based on his reputation for Arsenal.
Hope we go for him again.
Likely depends on their transfer ban.
i don't want him...after what happened last summer. The ship has sailed.
Barca will surely shift much more than 1 or 2 players this summer. The decision has been already made that a radical makeover is required. "Sport" reports that only 6 players are totally safe from the summer makeover. Cesc is not one of those six for two reasons. One is that he has failed to live up to expectations. Some say because he does not suit our style, others say that he is not good enough. The second reason is that as you have pointed out, could fetch serious cash from quite a few clubs, probably English or even otherwise.
There will be no transfer ban.
Memories are short in football, but my memory was that he was definitely the top centre mid in his last year or 2 here.
Every week seemed to be a new crisp pass for VP to smash a goal or 2 in, not to mention scoring loads himself. He was must have material on fantasy footy!
Game I remember the most was him coming out against Villa or someone, playing 20mins, scoring 2 goals, then going back off, job done.
Every week seemed to be a new crisp pass for VP to smash a goal or 2 in, not to mention scoring loads himself. He was must have material on fantasy footy!
Game I remember the most was him coming out against Villa or someone, playing 20mins, scoring 2 goals, then going back off, job done.
Last year was different. Mostly due to his stock being higher, and us making such ludicrously public efforts to sign him. Almost as if we thought we could influence the transfer along by the whole "Manchester United are after you" ploy, that can work with smaller Prem teams.
It all depends who they get as a new manager though. Could again scupper it all.
i don't think woody would want to go through this again...once bitten