Chelsea reach agreement to sign Cesc Fábregas

[SolidState]

Fabregas is no where near as mobile or silky as Mata, He is much better in a deeper position behind the attack and threading balls at feet level as well as dropping balls over defences. At Barca they wanted him to play the role of the left handed attacker in a 4-3-3 which is completely unnatural for him so they begun to use him as cover for Messi, where he did a half decent job. Mata similarly wouldn't be as effective in those positions.

Mata thrives in a no.10 advancing position. Fabregas is much better in a CAM role pushing forwards into the box rarely but providing smart balls from deep. If we are in for him, it will be because we've failed to get Kroos as they provide the same role in a team.

 

[SolidState]

Also I'd like to add, I'd be surprised to see him at Barca next year especially with Koke kicking up a storm in la liga

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Bring him home Arsene.

 

[Damien]

Torres tore the EPL apart for a couple of seasons, when he was arguably one of the best forwards in Europe. So it's definitely not the league. He's just gone remarkably shit since that knee injury iirc.

Yep, he was poor just before he left Liverpool. Kind of surprising Chelsea paid so much then, but guess they thought it wasn't something that would be a problem.

 

[Ish]

Yep, he was poor just before he left Liverpool. Kind of surprising Chelsea paid so much then, but guess they thought it wasn't something that would be a problem.

Yeah, his downward spiral, when at times he resembles a pub team player (wait, that's actually being harsh on pub teams), has been nothing short of astonishing.

 

[malappapper]

Don't agree with that at all. In Mata's two seasons for Chelsea he's been far better than Cesc has been for Barcelona, and he's younger. He was arguably the best player in the league last season, and probably second only to RVP in comfortably the best season on his career the year before.

If anything Mata's underrated on this forum, people seem to think that because Mourinho didn't want him he's not the top player he proved himself to be in the last couple of seasons. We only overpaid for him in the sense that we probably could have spent the money elsewhere and it would have improved the team more.

Too many variables there to make any direct comparisons. But in this sense, we are very lucky that both Mata and Cesc play for the same national team. In that team, Mata's role is massively lesser than that of Cesc, even though Cesc is relatively similar to the other top-of-the-line Spanish players.

True. Mata so far has been down the pecking order when it comes to Spanish midfielders even though he is a very good player. I would consider fabregas to be better in the build up and a better dictator of play as well as having a great end product although not better than mata in that regard.

That's what I am saying as well.

 

[Brophs]

It's hard to imagine an incoming manager not feeling like he'd be better off holding on to him given the doubts over Xavi and the possibility of a transfer ban. The most likely outcome is him having a chat with the new man, feeling the love and eventually signing a new deal, I would have thought.

 

[Massive Spanner]

It's hard to imagine an incoming manager not feeling like he'd be better off holding on to him given the doubts over Xavi and the possibility of a transfer ban. The most likely outcome is him having a chat with the new man, feeling the love and eventually signing a new deal, I would have thought.

I thought he did sign one last summer, no?

 

[Brophs]

I thought he did sign one last summer, no?

Dunno. If he becomes a mainstay of the team I'm sure he'll get another one before too long.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

So, is it mainly tweets from unreliable sources or anything to get excited about yet?

 

[Bob Loblaw]

It's hard to imagine an incoming manager not feeling like he'd be better off holding on to him given the doubts over Xavi and the possibility of a transfer ban. The most likely outcome is him having a chat with the new man, feeling the love and eventually signing a new deal, I would have thought.

Could be right about the new manager deciding that. They have Rafinha to come back from his loan though and with Luis Enrique being his manager over the last year he might feel he's ready to start for Barça. I don't, but I do think he's ready to play a bigger part than he did before he was loaned out.

I thought he did sign one last summer, no?

Nah there was no renewal last summer.

 

[scorgasm]

http://www.marca.com/2014/05/19/en/football/barcelona/1400488431.html

One of the players Barcelona has put up for sale in the summer transfer window is Cesc Fábregas, although this does not necessarily mean he will leave the club. First Barça want to see if they receive any succulent offers for the player and then they might consider letting him go. Cesc has a good reputation amongst Premier League clubs and the Catalan club believe they can achieve over 40 million for him.

Manchester United still have him on their radar and may well put an offer on the table again this summer. If Barça get a good offer for him their dream replacement would be Paul Pogba. The problem is that the Juve player is being scouted by several clubs including Real Madrid.

Even Cesc isn't clear about his future. Initially his idea is to stay put but before he does he needs to have a chat with Luis Enrique to see what the new manager's plans are.

Cesc isn't the only player in this situation at Barça. The club are putting other players such as Mascherano, Song, Pedro, Alexis, Tello and Alves up for sale too. According to the bids they receive they will decide who to keep and who to sell. They are willing to part with all of them at the right price.

Just minutes after losing the Liga against Atlético, Bartomeu warned "Now comes the time for major changes". Sporting director Zubizarreta will face a big test: that of putting together a squad with plenty of newcomers but also many leavers.

 

[BW.k]

I'll prefer him to Kroos too. Naturally a CM and also knows the PL quite well.

 

[MkPaul]

If Barca want to sell I see no reason why we shouldn't pounce.

 

[Ringo 07]

Fabregas will end up at either Bayern, Arsenal or City...My guess would be Bayern

 

[LonelyFire]

Fabregas will end up at either Bayern, Arsenal or City...My guess would be Bayern

Pep wasnt as big a fan as you would think.

I would still bet on him staying at Barca but given Woody's desire for a statement signing, wouldnt surprise me if we went in for him.

 

[Kazi]

Find it hard to believe that Barcelona would be transfer listing all of those players. Alexis and Pedro?! They'd be left with no proper wingers.

 

[RedRover]

Fabregas will end up at either Bayern, Arsenal or City...My guess would be Bayern

As I understood it, Pep didn't really want him did he?

I'm not sure why people are so negative on here. We've got a top manager lined up and (supposedly) a massive transfer budget. he could come here and be a central player in a top side. Plus - its fair to assume that he must have had some interest in joining us at some stage last year - the club wouldn't have bothered if not and feelers are almost always put out with agents and representatives first.

He may fancy Arsenal - but would they pay him what we could? Would they even spend what they'd need to get him considering the options they have in midfield? Whatever, if he is available we would have a good shout of getting him.

 

[Freak]

So you're saying that Manchester United could potentially have RVP, Fabregas and Sagna lining up for them? Who would have thought?

 

[LonelyFire]

As I understood it, Pep didn't really want him did he?

I'm not sure why people are so negative on here. We've got a top manager lined up and (supposedly) a massive transfer budget. he could come here and be a central player in a top side. Plus - its fair to assume that he must have had some interest in joining us at some stage last year - the club wouldn't have bothered if not and feelers are almost always put out with agents and representatives first.

He may fancy Arsenal - but would they pay him what we could? Would they even spend what they'd need to get him considering the options they have in midfield? Whatever, if he is available we would have a good shout of getting him.

Correct.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Find it hard to believe that Barcelona would be transfer listing all of those players. Alexis and Pedro?! They'd be left with no proper wingers.

Would guess it's a case of saying certain players are available at the right price, not that they want to sell all of them. I think one of Alexis/Pedro will go, most likely Alexis, but not both. That's just my guess though.

 

[Juan't Mata]

Realy hoping we make an offer for him that's nice and succulent alright.

 

[MarcRed96]

I'm not really sure what to make of this story, to be honest. He's a quality player and I don't understand why Barcelona would be willing to sell him, unless I've missed that he's been really poor this year.

Anyway, he'd be a fantastic addition to any squad but I just can't see him at United. I reckon if Barca really do want to let him go, Arsenal would be in for him and I'm almost certain he'd pick them over us.

 

[Kazi]

Would guess it's a case of saying certain players are available at the right price, not that they want to sell all of them. I think one of Alexis/Pedro will go, most likely Alexis, but not both. That's just my guess though.

Ridiculous if they sell either of them. Both are really good wingers - not many out there better than them. Alexis especially who has been excellent this season.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Why would Arsenal be interested in him???

He'll cost 40+ million.......they don't need a CM player

They need the money for a world-class striker, RB and CB......maybe a defensive midfielder but no CM like Fabregas

 

[AltiUn]

Why would Arsenal be interested in him???

He'll cost 40+ million.......they don't need a CM player

They need the money for a world-class striker, RB and CB......maybe a defensive midfielder but no CM like Fabregas

Plus it would mess up Ramsey and Wilshere's development too. Pointless transfer for them if you ask me.

 

[arthurka]

Don´t want...

 

[dar10nian]

It's not quite happening for Cesc at Barcelona. He's still a quality player and would be a much needed addition to our midfield. Pretty simple equation in my view. If he is available, then get him for a fair price.

 

[RustyS]

I'd be happy with him if Gundogan's injury problems are a persistent thing and if we have no hope of signing Vidal.

But I wonder why we're not looking at younger players who can go on to perhaps be just as good. Koke comes to mind. Pogba is another one although I'm not sure how both parties feel about that one.

 

[bosnian_red]

Arsenal don't need him at all but they'll go for him regardless I think. If we managed to bring him in, that would be a ridiculously good transfer on our part. Bring in a more defensive player next to him and it'd be perfect.

 

[Varun]

Don´t want...

Interesting. Why?

 

[Grinner]

Bring him home Arsene.

We're unlikely to spend that much money on a player we don't really need.

 

[KingMinger22]

I think we can pip Arsenal to him.

What is certain is that Barca will look to shake things up a bit. He seems very likely one of those who could be snapped up, for a decent price.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

If he is available for roughly £30 million it is obviously a no-brainer, regardless of any other player we have lined up. We have plenty of room for midfielders in our squad, an abundance of space for quality.

 

[Damien]

I'd be happy with him if Gundogan's injury problems are a persistent thing and if we have no hope of signing Vidal.

But I wonder why we're not looking at younger players who can go on to perhaps be just as good. Koke comes to mind. Pogba is another one although I'm not sure how both parties feel about that one.

Neither Koke or Pogba would leave the clubs they are at now to come to us.

 

[golden_blunder]

i think Fabs chance has gone. Should have joined us last year Cesc

 

[Shark]

A 30-35m bid should finalise this deal if Fabregas is willing to come. Considering Fabregas' performance levels since going to Barca, anything over that price would be unfair. Ok, he's a class player and just what we need, but we can't let Barca shit on us either.

 

[RedRover]

We're unlikely to spend that much money on a player we don't really need.

I agree with that. Arsenal need a top class forward before anything I think.

He could certainly earn more at United as well.

 

[RustyS]

Neither Koke or Pogba would leave the clubs they are at now to come to us.

Maybe that is the case but I hope that we inquired behind the scenes, especially Koke.

 

[manusteve]

I'll prefer him to Kroos too. Naturally a CM and also knows the PL quite well.

I prefer Kroos. Superior passing ability and can play defensive and offensive CM. I don't think Fabregas has especially enhanced Barcelona's midfield.