Arsenal
Why Fabregas should not move to Barca
By Guest Writer Basil James.
As the media, pundits and the average football fan assesses, dissects and examines the latest statements from Cesc Fabregas about moving to Barcelona (or staying at Arsenal as some would like to put it) the thing is still, to all intents and purposes, very much in the balance. Will he or will he not will take some more time to be answered. However, as an Arsenal fan, I feel Captain Fab could be committing a mistake that could have a severe impact on his career if he moves from Arsenal. It is not, I hope, a bigoted Arsenal fan’s rant but a reality Fabregas might have to face if he moves to Spain.
Face it, Cesc. You are not going to get much pitch time in the current Barca squad. The Barcelona midfield is packed with stars such as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Keita and the world’s best player, Messi on the right. Breaking into that midfield would be like a camel going through the proverbial eye of the needle. Fabregas would have got some taste of how life would be at the Catalonian club during his time with the Spain national team at the World Cup, where he has found a good friend in the Spanish bench. Fabregas seemed to be on a no-shave policy unless he got a start and looked to be in contention for the role of Dumbledore in the latest Harry Potter movie until Del Bosque brought him on a sub for Torres in the 56th minute against Paraguay in the quarter-finals. The Spanish team is well stocked with Barca talent and Fabregas would face the same or even tougher competition at Barcelona. It will be back to the bench again for the 23 year old.
The only reason Barcelona could want Fabregas now is as a back up to Xavi or Iniesta. Xavi is thirty and has probably some two or three years of football for Barca left in him. Iniesta is just 26 and looks like he will be around for a long time. Is Fabregas willing to take such massive risks and move to Barca? On an estimate, Fabregas is as good as Xavi when it comes to talent. Xavi, with more experience and trophies might look the better player if you consider the figures but numbers do not make up everything. As a back up, Fabregas would get very limited time on the pitch and would have to hope Xavi gets injured frequently. Otherwise, his time will come only when Xavi gets too old for Barca and is shipped away.
What then? Fabregas, owing to a prolonged tenure on the sidelines, will have no recognisable form. Lacking match practice, he will be rusty and low-spirited. The Fabregas we would see for Barca will be a mere pale shadow of his Arsenal self. Thus, after a string of poor performances, will the Barca board decide they have had enough of the boy wonder who was not to be? It is definitely debatable.
Now, even if Fabregas is confident that he can work hard, do the impossible and break in to that Barca midfield would Cesc be able to fulfill his ambition of filling up his trophy cabinet? I doubt it. Reason: Jose Mourinho. Two Champions League triumphs, one UEFA Cup win with Porto, six domestic league titles in eight years and eight other trophies in the same period are credentials that would impress even the most dyed-in-the wool pessimists. Jose Mourinho has proven himself to be a winner. There is every possibility that the ‘Special One’ will help himself and Real Madrid to a few titles next season. Cesc, already on the bench, is not even assured of the tremendous success Barca has achieved in recent years. For all he knows, Barcelona could finish trophy less this time, thanks to Jose.