Cesc Fabregas – The complete midfielder

Fabregas and Barcelona – Match made in heaven.

“Fabregas wants to return to his country of birth, to his city, where his family is. He wants to play for one of the best teams in the world, Barcelona, and that’s understandable.”

Bacary Sagna echoing the sentiments of most of the Arsenal faithful. As much as it did hurt, it was time for the captain to depart. Fabregas was head and shoulders above everyone at Arsenal and it was clear for one and all to see that he needed to play alongside the best players to further exhibit his class. Also, the ‘unproven featherweight’ clearly had his heart elsewhere. Being the professional that he is, had he stayed, he would have given it his all. But let’s not forget, this isn’t an office job. Its football, and if someone doesn’t have his heart in the game, it can take you to deeper darker places. The most hated man in Manchester would tell you all about it.

And in hindsight, letting go of Fabregas hasn’t been all that bad a decision, the Gunners have recovered from their dreadful start and are doing alright themselves. The players seem to have a point to prove. Robin Van Persie has gone on an amazing goal-scoring spree, and has inspired his comrades. While Fabregas on the other hand, has himself blossomed ever since his arrival in Catalonia. The boy looks fit, hungry as ever and above all, happy. And all that has translated into the extraordinary start that he has made at Barca. Barca – the club where he emerged as a talented youth player before he moved to Arsenal. When he came on as a substitute in the Supercopa de España, he was welcomed with a huge cheer. Cesc was back; back at the ground he dreamed of gracing as a youngster, back in the team he has supported all his life.

Could Fabregas fit in at Barcelona?

Even though the move did make sense emotionally, there were always going a few concerns for his fans and himself. How will he make his place in a team packed with superstars? In a team that already has the best two midfielders of the present generation. In a team that has Sergio Busquests who helps complete the Barca puzzle (how would Barca exist without his play-acting?). And finally, in a team that has The World’s Best Player, who often likes to track back into the midfield to get the ball. Would he really fit in this star studded team? He doesn’t get to start in the Spanish National team, why would he get to start here?

The answer however, has been well documented with the kind of form he has produced ever since his arrival in Spain. Fabregas has gelled really well with his team-mates. His strengths have always been his passing and his link-up play. On the flip side, finishing and scoring goals by his own admission are a weaker part of his game. And yet, as astonishing as it is, the ex-Captain ‘Fabtastic’ of Arsenal has already scored ten goals for Barca. As most would say, he’s playing at Barca – the finest football team of our generation, and that La Liga is weak. While that is true, one must take nothing away from the Spaniard. Also, to overlook the managers’ contribution to his new-found goal scoring abilities is foolhardiness. Guardiola, as shrewd as a snake has employed a 3-4-3. And even though, that was prone to happen, with so many resources at his disposal, especially in the middle of the park, what wasn’t expected, however, was his position as he began in Lionel Messi‘s position as a ‘false’ 9. Cesc is everywhere. Dropping deep to link up in triangles with his team-mates and opening up play, the midfielder’s movement in his new position is exemplary. It takes a very intelligent footballing brain to be able to adjust to a new club, let alone fare well at a new position so quickly.

Adaptability and Versatility

Selflessness is a word that is synonymous to Fabregas’s game-play. His assist tally is something that the best of midfielders will be proud of. And not just that, Fabregas is a complete team player. In a recent interview, the player was caught saying

It’s true, I’ve played inside [right and left], on the wings, up front, in the hole… I’ve had to adapt to the circumstances because I’d always played central midfield, which is where I feel best. That said, I try to do what’s asked of me no matter where I’m deployed, and in this system I feel very comfortable wherever I find myself.

Cesc, though, is likely to find himself filling in up front as well this term as Pep Guardiola looks to take advantage of the midfielder’s outstanding movement further forward and move a step closer to his vision of using versatile midfielders across the park in the pursuit of perfection. Fabregas, it seems, is a big part of that plan.

The little genius scored against Real Madrid with a sublime header. What’s ironic is the fact that, that was what Real missed last season and that is what they missed this Saturday – someone making the team play and standing up against Xavi and Co. Even though, Fabregas has started the season at the top of a midfield diamond in a 3-4-3, but his Premier League apprenticeship will mean he will be equally at home if he later has to step back into a more conservative role. And he would have gone a long way to completing Mourinho’s team.

Fabregas – only 24 years of age is still developing and with an attitude like his can only take the player to even greater heights. And all the evidence points in the same direction. Fabregas could turn out to be the most complete midfielder of this generation and be yet another thorn in Madrid’s flesh for a long time.