WTTGT Writer: Lewis Kyriacou
This is not news. This is not realistic. What it is, however, is an argument, and if you will care to join me, you might find this trail of thought interesting.
What would you pay for Xavi? Seriously. Have a go. One of the best central midfielders in the world, he has the vision of an eagle and can pass the ball through an eye of a needle. About £40m do you reckon? That’s only half that of what Cristiano Ronaldo cost, but only £6.5m less than Zidane cost at his peak. But they were both better goal-scorers. Best say £35m just to be safe. But wait, he’s 31. How many years would you say he has left of his prime? Two, maybe three if you’re lucky. Well that’s got to halve it, at least. £17.5m? But Henry was sold to Barcelona for £1m less and he was two years younger than Xavi is now? To be on the safe side shall we say £15m. Imagine offering Barcelona £15m for Xavi? You’d be laughed at!
Similarly what would you pay for Cesc Fabregas? At 24 years old, he’s ripe for selling; he is experienced enough to no longer be deemed raw potential, but young enough to be in the eve of his prime. So he’d be valued on ability alone. I suppose it boils down to is; is he as good as Xavi? You bet he is!
Over the last six seasons combined, Fabregas has contributed to 45 more goals (by scoring or assisting) than his Spanish team mate. With these statistics, I do wonder why Xavi remains ahead of Fabregas in the Spanish national team. Similarly, I’m sure that should Cesc return to Barcelona, he will be behind Xavi in Barcelona’s starting line-up. That’s one reason why they won’t pay the full value for Fabregas; who would pay £40m for a player to warm the bench?
This transfer saga has rumbled on for over 18 months. Cesc’s “speculated” return to the Catalan homeland seems to have been elevated to some kind of prophecy, where it sits in the room of Prophecies in the Ministry of Magic next to the one about Harry Potter and Voldemort… or something like that.
And there lies the problem. Barcelona are under the impression that they own Fabregas; his return is a thing of fairy-tales, existing outside of business. Well Barcelona don’t own him, he is contracted to Arsenal Football Club for years to come. We should only let him leave if they pay us respectable compensation. £40m probably is about right.
The Catalan club better get a move on. If we don’t sell Cesc soon the Champions League qualifier will be upon us, and Arsenal can’t afford to miss out on the revenue that Europe’s elite competition brings. It is imperative that Arsenal qualify, so if Fabregas is still here I would play him and let Barcelona suffer if he’s cup tied. We must look out for our interests, and not be emotionally blackmailed by Barcelona and their player’s public comments.
What I’m trying to get at is that as good a Xavi is, Cesc is more valuable because of his age as well as being far more productive. And all Barca’s “wear and tear” and “we want Cesc home” rubbish should not change the fact that he is a £40m player and we should accept nothing less (or £25m plus Xavi, but I’m not fussy).
Excellent article. But i still think in todays market 40 million is a bit low. Jordan Henderson, Andy Carrol, Torres spring to mind?
Maybe sell Cesc and buy Sneijder from Inter Milan? And I would gladly argue the point that we can't afford his supposed “£250,000 a week” pay because we can.
Javier Pastore moved to PSG at £37.7 million transfer fee.
Now, Pastore is 22 years old and has moved from Palermo to PSG . No argument is required anymore.Cesc signed a contract till 2015. He must have done it in his senses. Its a very simple case stump up £ 40 million or £ 35 million plus keita or affelay. We need squad players. He is not in the last year of his contract and we are not in need of money , wenger has plenty !
If you don't have the money go and ask your players to contribute to bring back part of their DNA back.
If you can't even do that shut up and stop whining !
40m plus Affalay and i'd say let's take it. He wouldn't be a starter but would add depth and with the cash we can buy probably 3 decent players. One of which I would love to be Jan Vertongen from Ajax as he plays CB/LB/DM so again adds a bit of depth and flexibility to the squad. Get another CB, it's looking like Dann at the moment which I don't mind at all and that still leaves us with maybe 15m to put towards another solid player, that squad could win the leage, I don't believe ours can.
Its a complete joke!!!! I would tell Cesc two things:
1st He must come out with a statement saying that although he loves Arsenal he does wish to go back to his hometown and play for the team hes supported all his life. BUT due to his respect for Arsenal he will only do so if Barca are prepared Arsenal adequately for his return. If they dont then he will happily stay at Arsenal.
2nd If hes not prepared to make that statement publicly, then he will sit on the bench and not even see afootball, never mind kick one, for the next 4 years. If he would like to play any kind of club football over the next 4 years then he will be doing so at either Chelsea, Man City, or Real Madrid, as they would all ofer 60mil+ once the 3 get into a bidding war.
Those are your options lad, take it or leave it.
His current silence on the subject (for the last two years) is completey selfish, and not becoming of the behaviour required by an Arsenal Captain.
I do quite like the idea of forcing him to Madrid. Obviously the money we would get would be great but I'd mainly like to annoy Barcelona.
agree. sell him only for the right price.
otherwise bench him for 4 years.
simple as it is.
AND REMOVE THE CAPTAINCY FROM NOW.
he has behaved like a ****.
Let him go am tied of his problem, he is dividing de team now is a same.
I remain a gunner till i die.
emeka from abuja
Helloo Gooners!
I believe Cesc is an idiot!
He's got it all down here at Arsenal, but doing the spoiled kid for a couple of years to allow him go to Barca… made things more complicated.
1st: Barcelona Fc are crazy enough to think they are screwed by Arsenal in paying a high price. But who made him the one he is today? Arsene and Arsenal.. you can't say what he would have done if he would have stayed in Barca.
2nd: By losing time on his dream … in Arsenal FC and in Barca, young ones came out as real contenders to his place such as Wilshere and Ramsey at Arsenal, Alcantara at Barca.
If I was Cesc I would be happy and proud to figure in an Arsenal shirt. Not sad because you could have been with Barca last year!.. Writing that I'm remembering that ugly backpass Cesc did to Iniesta in the 2nd leg of the Champions league, giving us almost no chance to recover from such an ugly game!
He did the 1st mistake… our captain… how come?
He should pay another year to show who he is.. coz let's be serious, the man is not leaving us on a high !!
Now I agree 200% with Arsene. Barca pays the right price or they can ask Alcantara to come up.
One more thought. If Barca want soooo much Cesc… why the hell are they not ready to pay a price such the ones they pay for David Villa??? or Ibrahimovic???… in this one thzey payed an awful price plus Eto'o .. the crazy board….
Well then why being that picky with Cesc???
Maybe because they don't need you that much or maybe they don't respect Cesc and his talents that much??? although he is more efficient than Xavi…
Have a good day gooners, and Cesc as well 😉
Finaly we are realising that the Cesc saga is having a bad influence on AFC and it is time to set the record straight with Cesc a la Robdoggunner's suggestions.
I think Arsene has fought the good fight to keep him at the club but you would have to be blind to not see that Fabregas wants to leave for Barca. The two things that worry me the most for the upcoming season that is rapidly approaching is the fact that we've left it so late to get new players if were still to sign anyone new that is and also the first team looks good but where we lack is in depth. Last year we were perceived to have a “deep” bench but we were found to be lacking when it counted the most with players like Eboue,Bendtner,Rosicky and others failing to impress when it really mattered. Why has this not been addressed? Some would say it is by the apparent departures of some of these players but where are the replacements? I think what we need is PL proven player but their no where in sight. I like most believe that only some tweeks are needed. A strong CB and DM player. As for the attacking side of things If Cesc does leave this year moving Nasri to the middle and buying a wide player of class would do the trick. So if we were to get Samba for the that CB spot, Parker/Barton “type” for the steel and grit in midfield and a Mata type for the wing as has been reported I think we would have the foundations of a trophy challenging side. Add some squad players that can do the business and are PL tested and we have ourselves a very competitive team that wouldn't cost us all that much.
Szc
Sagna-Samba-Kos-Vermalen
Gervinho-Wilshere-Song-Mata
Nasri
RVP