How good is Fabregas really?
Written by Joel Che on Wednesday, January 24, 2007
I've written a lot of superlatives about Fabregas, almost to the point where I got concerned that I was just getting unnecessarily carried away. In November, I said Fabregas was the best player in the Premiership but after the Manchester United game I was speechless so I decided to take some time out to get some perspective. How good is Fabregas really?
I spent the weekend watching five Manchester United games to look at Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes. Then I watched four Chelsea games to look at Drogba and Essien. On Monday, I was on YouTube and other football sites watching interviews by Fabregas and old interviews by Vieira, Ronaldinho, Cruyff, Messi, Zidane and Platini. There is a wealth of good stuff on the Internet.
The first and surprising conclusion from watching great players speak and comparing them to Cesc is that Cesc is not only mature on the pitch but he is extremely mature in his view and knowledge of football.
He's not a trivial mind that repeats things that everyone says. He has opinions and those opinions are very balanced and strategic. He has a longterm view that is only common among managers – and not any manager at that.
He sees the big picture in football and in his own performances. When you listen to Cesc, it makes sense that he is so mature on the pitch. None – and I mean none of the other players that I saw interviews with expressed themselves in such a way, especially when they were as young as Cesc.
Cesc understands that the end of one game is preparation for the next so he commits hard even if Arsenal are losing because it is preparation for the next and it matter even when other senior players give up. His proactivity is down to the fact that he understands the cycle of football.
The second impression you get is that Cesc would have been on top of his profession no matter which one he had chosen. His analysis of his own game and the understanding of the importance of planning, execution and team are similar traits that you would find in all successful people. It is no surprise that Cesc makes near perfect decisions on the pitch with a sense of calmness. That is achieved because he is a forward thinker who keeps things simple.
Watching how Cristiano Ronaldo executes simple tasks is interesting compared to Fabregas. Fabregas has shown he can beat people, hit shots and play cute tricks but he rarely or never does more than he has to do.
In many videos, one also notices that Fabregas has an incredible capacity for controlling situations where he changes his mind. Most of the other good players would know what to do with the ball before it arrives so they execute it straight away. If they don't know what to do before the ball arrives, they will take the ball and move into some space to buy time to look up. When the player's choice of a pass suddenly becomes unavailable they usually get in a small panic trying to find the next option and that's when they lose the ball most often.
Cesc has all that built into his game. He decides where the pass is going to go but has an incredible capability to keep his options open until the last second so changing his mind because a better option appears in a non-panic situation for him. It is built into his game. That's why he loses so few balls and makes so many good decisions.
The fact that Fabregas speaks English so eloquently and expresses himself clearly should not be taken for granted. It has taken many older players lots of time to get to grips with a new language and culture. José Antonio Reyes famously failed and many others took much longer. Fab's ability to adapt to his new environment is part of the character of this special young man.
A lot is made of the fact that Fabregas is just 19 and yes it is incredible but it is worth saying that everything that Fabregas brings is in his character. It has made him special that's why he can do special things at this age. Without that character, a 30-year-old would not be able to do the same. I'm sure Cesc can see what the older players lack so he is never intimidated by them.
Vieira had had the opportunity to see what Fabregas was about and was extremely wary and almost uncharacteristically nervous around Fabregas when Arsenal met Juventus. It is also true now that most senior players in the Premiership and in Europe has stopped treating Cesc like a kid.
I really believe that Fabregas is unique and is the kind of player that comes round once every 10 to 15 years. I think he is already the best in his age group, the best in the Premiership this year and will be the best in the world if he only improves a little bit over the next 3 years.
User Comments
29jordan
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 03:22 PM - Reply
star player awesome always playing great.
28Aussie Gunner
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 11:56 AM - Reply
I think Cesc is the best young player in the world and only time will tell what he is capable. People saying that he needs to bulk up are wrong i thiink. Talent and football brains will be braun strength any day, even in the EPL. I wish you all the best n stay safe Cesc
27Extreme
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 11:48 AM - Reply
I agree totally.
And after the proformance he produced against Spurs in the carling cup. I am looking forward to watching him over the years!
26Erwin
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 09:37 AM - Reply
Fabregas is already causing chaos everytime he gets on the field, I think Fabregas has the potential to be better than Cristiano Ronaldo because fabreags has contributed to Arsenal's triumphs many times this season.
25Ravenspore
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 07:21 AM - Reply
In 20 years time people will look back and Wenger's reign will be remembered for a lot of great players but I think Cesc will be held in the highest esteem.
24hollywood jay
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 06:43 AM - Reply
phil.14: King of Highbury is Henry full stop
23Olaf
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 06:36 AM - Reply
Well done mate. Great article. Without doubt, Cesc is a talent second to none and the natural successor to Henry as captain. Signing an 8 year contract recently should please all Arsenal fans - long may he stay and rule at the Emirates.
22Being a Gunner
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 04:40 AM - Reply
Yeah, he is good and all that and that. But he is too a bit lightweigh. Yet he hasn't won a big title for Arsenal. Just wait and see, & cut the media hype out.
21cesc89
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 02:56 AM - Reply
That's a well written article on cesc... He's a magnificant player to watch... Its really hard to believe that at 19, he has already won battles against the likes of Scholes, Vieira, Zidane and many other greats... And even the opposition fans know what a threat he is.. I hope he stays with Arsenal for life...
20James
Posted on 25 Jan, 2007 at 12:26 AM - Reply
Cesc is indeed an exceptional talent. I think a lot of credit has to go to the Barcelona youth academy. Many of their youngsters show similar levels of maturity, composure, and understand of the game.
Have a read of some of Barcelona's players' interviews. Like Deco, Iniesta or Xavi.
19Steve
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 11:45 PM - Reply
Behave
18Kris
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 10:59 PM - Reply
Cesc is a GREAT talent and he will without doubt become one of the best players in the world. And the joke is he's still a teenager, he's gonna go onto big things!!!
17gt
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 06:49 PM - Reply
Good analysis on our talented midfielder. I remember seeing his interview about a week ago, and his mature thinking is definitely beyond his age. Well done Fabregas Sr., for bringing your kid to become such an admirable character! (And play for Arsenal too!)
I think in the team, we three distinct yet equally respectable characters in Toure, Gilberto and Fabregas. Toure's enthusiasm and commitment is second to none; Gilberto likes to do his job quietly (until this season which he scores loads of goals) without asking for any credit; and now we have Cesc, a true leader with vision and humility. That's why I love Arsenal!
16kenyan Gunner
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 04:21 PM - Reply
nice article.If he was english,only God who knows his price tag could be.I hear that Merinda is more highly rated than Cesç.
God protect you from injuries Cesç.
15Alfonso
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 03:38 PM - Reply
Cesc Fabregas is the Rafa Nadal of football. I dont know if you follow tennis, but if you do, you will find that Cesc's fellow countryman Rafa has almost the same traits as Cesc. And they are both around the same age. They both have the heart and the mind of a true champion. I would go as far to say that these two Spanish lads are the two biggest talents in the world of sport at the moment.They should go on to greatness. Lastly, Cesc is the possibly the best teenage footballer ive ever seen in 17 years of watching football.
14Mark
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 02:48 PM - Reply
You're absolutely right in praising Fabregas so much. Nice article, very insightful. He does seem like a very intellegent, but humble guy off the pitch as well as being a genius on it. His character as well as his ability will ensure that he has a very bright future in football.
13Sandeep
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 02:43 PM - Reply
I am a Manchester United fan. He is almost my favorite player but for obvious reasons he is not.
The one thing (there are a million other) that separates him from even the very very good players is he always ALWAYS has an extra second and another thing he always passes to the correct foot of the receiver.
12HB
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 01:48 PM - Reply
great article...
Fabry really is the best midfielder right now in the Premiership
11Oliver
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 01:39 PM - Reply
Wenger must be over the moon. Cesc reads the game the way wenger wants it to be played. What is amazing is that it is all natural to Cesc's game. At 19 Years. Massive Talent!
10Pete
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 01:32 PM - Reply
He is a truly amazing talent.
My worries are that when he has his next growth spurt, which he surely will, that he will start to pick up injuries.
When Gerard started to matrue physically the impact of playing so much football whilst growing led to a series of injury problems.
Fabregas is so good that we have ended up building a team and a system around him. The whole 4-5-1 away from home is solely designed to allow Fabregas to play in the middle of the park. I don't think we will be able to stop playing him when he starts to grow again and worry he'll end up damaged as a result.
9phil.14
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 12:48 PM - Reply
The only player that I would compare, would by The King of Highbury - Liam. During the Cup years 1978-1980, and before - Liam showed the same passing and control.
8Dan
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 12:45 PM - Reply
You have analysed him so well, I have the same conclusion as you are. well done mate!!
7g
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 12:38 PM - Reply
Amen. to the last para.
6legrandesaucisse
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 12:23 PM - Reply
We have seen already this season a willingness to get stuck in, a new found strength in the tackle. We know of his sublime passing and ball retention. When he adds a few goals to his game he will be the best
5goonerd
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 12:03 PM - Reply
A good article - well written, perceptive and spot on IMHO. I have been watching football for 50+ years and I don't think I have ever seen a 19 year old midfielder with more ability or maturity. I can't see anything stopping him becoming the best creative midfielder in the world and the wonderful thing is that he shows every sign that he will handle this degree of celebrity well.
4Rombosia
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 11:58 AM - Reply
I can't agree more! This is a man, yes MAN, that way way ahead of his footballing time.
He was the best plater in the World under 17 at 15 yrs. He was voted 2nd best player (to Barca's Iniesta, who was 18) in an UNDER 20 tournament.
He is brave, not intimidated and has a computer for a brain. I remeber the game against ManU for the shield where he tackled Roy Keane n the old man tried to come yell at him. I was amused to see the 17 yr old standing up to him n askin the great question, what???? I knew that was a great man.
He has the passes of Bergcamp and the presence and control in mid-field I can associate with the man whose number of shirt he wears now, Barca's Pep Guardiola. At the tender age, U feel his presence. I can't wait to see what he will be doing at 23!!
When a 19 yr old says his target is to one day captain Arsenal, U know he has his head screwed on right!
Aren't we lucky to have him in our team!
3Gooner Bob
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 11:57 AM - Reply
Fabregas is brilliant but he does have one flaw-his goalscoring.He has yet to score in the premiership this season. Once he starts hitting the net he will be an all-time great
2Oliver
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 11:53 AM - Reply
I think you have got that spot on! I have the same opinion which i try preach to other spectators of football!
1Jon
Posted on 24 Jan, 2007 at 11:38 AM - Reply
Forget about Messi, Christiano Ronaldo and Robinho - Cesc is the most promising player in the world. I hope he stays at Arsenal forever. However, if we were to sell him, the figure would be astronomical. Rumours during the summer of Messi going to Inter for £71 million. For Cesc - who knows! He's a rare talent.
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