Like an absent father who’s long-lost son has hit the big time and is now a famous (and wealthy) footballer, they are now suddenly interested in their former player who is now one of the most coveted midfield players in the modern game. It is known that Fabregas played in their youth team and has his routes in Catalonia, however, in footballing terms, Cesc was one of a number of outcasts from the great La Masia academy and, sporting a very 80’s haircut, came to Arsenal and blossomed into the maestro he is today. To rephrase, Arsenal made Cesc who he is.
Today (at time of writing), the ever distasteful (but arguably one of the best players around – Euro/World Champion) Xavi has stated Arsenal have Cesc “on loan” and he will return to Barca to continue his career. In addition, the Neanderthal Puyol has also stated that Arsenal are disrespecting Cesc and forcing him to stay. I may be wrong, and naïve, however there are such things as contracts in football and even though a Players ego may transcend the legal paper they sign when they desire a pay-rise, they must be respected and not thrown about like toys to a spoilt child.
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While I believe Cesc’s time at Arsenal is indeed short – with a potential move next year or the year after – when a Club wishes to acquire the services of another Clubs player, they must show respect and follow the regulations laid down by FIFA to purchase the player, who ever that player may be. It is fact that Barcelona are a great club, their trophy cabinet speaks for itself. Moreover, the Spanish are now World Champions, therefore Spain (or Barcelona) do command respect as the best in their profession. However, self indulgent arrogance simply shows that however great a player you are, you are judged as a man, an individual – think John Terry as a case in point. That follows as a Club, despite being the best in Europe, Barcelona must show they respect their fellow competitors and cant go around throwing cash and attitude at Clubs and demand their players, such arrogance damages the Clubs reputation and makes the vendor Club reluctant to sell.
However, instead of throwing our toys out the pram, it is easier to understand this saga if we break it down into constituent parts; Barcelona, Cesc and Arsenal.
Barcelona - As Barcelona elect presidents every 3-4 years, clubs like Arsenal are pulled into a circus of promises and innuendo when a prospective candidate, such as one Joan Laporta and (recently appointed) Sandro Rosell, are in the race to take the hot seat. Similar to our British Politics, a lot of big promises are made, many come to nothing. However, in recent years, Laporta has been aggressive in having the acquisition of Cesc as his crown jewel, “promising” his signature if he is re-elected.
Despite that claim being a kick in the teeth for Arsenal (and massively disrespectful), how can a club promise to sign a player without first discussing with the selling club? In addition, recent reports of Barcelona’s financial troubles show that not all is rosy in the rose garden. I will leave the financial analysis for better men, however when a Football Club takes out a c£130m bridging facility, it doesn’t look good. The lesson here is that despite your success and wealth, you must spend within your means, therefore the Catalans pursuit of Cesc’s signature is a matter of vanity and little else.
I am sure if I won the lottery, I would purchase 5 Omega Seamaster watches, however I can’t possibly wear them all, therefore I can acquire all the toys I want, but I can only use a few at a time, the same goes for Clubs buying players.
Cesc – As discussed, when Arsenal purchased Cesc for (reported) c£650k as a compensation fee, no-one had heard of his name and assumed it was another young star plucked from obscurity by Le Professor. With his mullet in tow, Cesc quickly began to stamp his reputation as a gifted and intelligent player, committed and passionate. By 19 years old, he had played more games than his colleagues at that age and was quickly installed at the key component in the Arsenal midfield. Like Henry before, Cesc had become indispensible.
Therefore the question is; would Cesc have become the player he is if he had stayed at Barcelona? I am sure he wouldn’t have. If we assume he stayed at La Masia, Cesc would have played a few games in the Barcelona B Team and gained a small reputation as being a good player in Spain. He may then, after a few years, been promoted to Barcelona first team and been benched for a few games. Then by his mid-20’s he may have become a great player, however all this would have taken time and he wouldn’t have made a similar impact on the footballing world.
I am aware that this is pure conjecture; however Barcelona let him leave as they obviously didn’t see the potential Wenger did. When a team is over-populated with midfielders, such as Barcelona’s squad, he wouldn’t have had a look-in.
Another case in point is Matthieu Flamini. A great player and a key part of the (somehow) great back 4 which took the Gunners to the Champions League Final in 2006, however he was a mercenary. After a much publicised exit from Marseille, in which manager Jose Anigo reportedly promised to “get him back”, he became a fringe player and a utility man. However, Flamini grew into a great player during that season and, unfortunately, realised it. Then, in an act of pure self indulgence, left for AC Milan for a c£5m contract claiming to be “an Arsenal fan” – as if that softens the blow for his departing supporters. However, he left for a team over populated with defensive midfielders, therefore in his Milan career he has only played 51 Seria A games (starts and sub appearances), 3 domestic cup games and a paltry 12 Champions League games. Benchwarmer he is.
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Arsenal – Since Wenger arrived in 1996, he has been building a team made of home-grown players and experience. While the recent incarnation of his dream is yet to bear fruit – and it will – he has relied on youth and a small transfer budget to keep Arsenal competitive. While the Emirates Stadium was under construction and now being repaid, Wenger has purchased the odd player to compliment the team and otherwise acquired youth players and promoted academy players. While the trophy cabinet is bare – this is a bigger achievement than most managers can boast. However, Wenger saw the potential in Cesc and took the gamble in allowing him to play. This is the reason why Cesc is Cesc, why he is a great player and coveted by teams in all countries.
The club itself has always maintained an air of silence around transfers, to protect the player and prevent other clubs gazumping them with overpriced offers and unrealistic wage demands. In stark contrast to Barcelona who have prostituted themselves around buying players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic for €69m (?) and the unknown Alexandr Hleb for €17m – which either haven’t played or have been shipped off a season later. Anyone who has played Championship Manager knows that you can cheat and spend pots of money building a squad but it doesn’t guarantee success, the irony being that Barcelona have succeeded with talent grown from their academy and not really due to the players they have purchased.
However the key point is that when a player is purchased, they sign a contract. Cesc signed a contract to 2014 stating his commitment to the club and has demonstrated this on the field. He is intelligent and experienced and should know that, like in Spain’s victorious World Cup campaign; he will be a bit-part player, an Omega watch on the Barcelona bed-side table. He wont play as much as will be forced to play in a team of ego’s who only want Cesc for his talent and will drop him like a stone when they can. However, it remains to be seen if this comes to fruition.
So, should Cesc go? I think he should. When a player wishes to leave, a portion of their desire, commitment and indeed form goes with them. Think Henry and Ronaldo in their respective final seasons, they were a shadow of their former greatness and were just a bit-part in a good season. Although having a player like Cesc leave will be a blow in terms of his absence, he won’t be missed in footballing terms.
Luckily, the old adage that Clubs become less prolific when a great player leaves is nonsense. When Henry and Ronaldo left, it made no difference to the quality of Arsenal or Man Utd, Even when Van Nistelrooy left Man Utd; there was no difference to their quality and ability to win trophies or titles.
For Arsenal, if Cesc were to leave, it would leave a void happily filled by the talented Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Denilson amongst others. In addition, when Cesc was absent during the 2009-2010 season through injury, he was barely missed. This is due to Wengers ability to adapt and change a squad around a player, if one is absent, another compensates. Therefore, despite being a loyal servant to Arsenal and being a great addition to the squad, if Cesc were to go, it would mean another c£40m in the Bank and the opportunity for a “future Cesc” to take over. However, I am sure we can use him for one final season before he drinks from the poison chalice in Spain….
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