Unlike other recent departures from the Emirates Stadium,
Fabregas showed extreme loyalty and respect to the London club. His move was
not driven by financial gain, instead being for pure footballing reasons. Believing
honesty was the best policy; Fabregas had long publicly declared that his wish
was to return to Barcelona.
Having been prised from the La Liga team’s youth system, by
Arsene Wenger, as a sixteen year old, few predicted just how far the young Spaniard
would come. Playing over 200 times for Arsenal, eventually being named captain
as well as assisting goals in both the World Cup and European Championship finals
with Spain are among Fabregas’ career highlights.
Spain’s dominance at international level has largely been
based on the technical brilliance of its midfield. Marshalled by Xavi, assisted
by his sidekick Andres Iniesta, the Barcelona men control the ‘tica-taca’ style
of play that has become so famous across the world. In fact, so dominant is the
Catalonian team within the international side, that out of the eleven who
started the Euro 2012 Final, six were Barcelona players.
When Cesc returned to his beloved side a year ago, he had
not lost any of the technical ability learnt in Spain or Barcelona’s playing philosophy.
Instead, he had added to these qualities by toughening up in the more rigorous
Barclays Premier League. Tackling was also an addition to his already vast
collection of attributes.
With club and country team-mate Xavi now in the twilight of
his career, Fabregas is being moulded by Barcelona to fill the void that the
legend will leave behind. With obvious natural passing ability added to the
drive and determination gained in England, Barcelona’s number four could go on
to eclipse their great number eight.
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