|
|
In quotes: The joy of (talking about) Cesc - Barcelona's charm offensive to snare Arsenal skipper Fabregas
Players and staff have hardly been shy in discussing prodigal son...
15 Jul 2010 13:52:00
By Alex Dimond
Barcelona and Cesc Fabregas — It's pretty much a love story for modern times.
Boy likes club. Boy plays for club at youth level. Before reaching the first-team, boy inexplicably leaves club to become an almost instant icon with another club.
Eventually, years later, original club decide they would actually quite like the boy (now a man, actually) back. But, low and behold, his current club don't want to sell!
What to do?!
Why, get all your other current players to talk at great length about how much they would like Fabregas to return to the club, of course. Really tug at the heart strings, that will.
How will this love story end? The climax has not yet been written, but for now Goal.com UK takes a look at the not-so-subtle charm offensive Barca have embarked on in recent times to try and snare their man:
"I would be delighted if he came – we played together as kids [in Barca's youth team] and he knows the club."
- Lionel Messi uses the tried-and-tested 'playtime just hasn't been the same since you left' sob story to try and grab his old friend's attention.
“Two years ago, I said that Cesc would end up playing for Barcelona and now it’s clearer than ever. In addition he has already expressed publicly that he wants to come to Barcelona. It is clear that Cesc will come to Barcelona.”
"I am sure that we can close the operation Cesc. The relations between the two clubs has been very positive and we must make sure this does not damage those relations."
- New Barca chairman Sandro Rosell seemingly doesn't believe incessantly talking about wanting to sign Fabregas will damage said relations with the Londoners. Which may or may not be true. But he could at least have come up with a more
original name for the project than 'Operation Cesc'.
"It's not my business, it's not my job. I'm sorry. He's a player for Arsenal, so Arsene Wenger has the say. You have to ask them."
- Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola evidently wasn't cc'd in on the club email reminding everyone to talk as much as possible about Fabregas.
"After these years at Arsenal the best decision is for him to come back to Barcelona. Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas will be an amazing midfield. With David Villa and Lionel Messi - this would be an incredible team. I am at the Nou Camp every week, I live in Barcelona, it is my home and I would like to see this."
- Even ex-Barca players can't help but get in on the act. Bulgarian icon Hristo Stoichkov puts his weight behind the move when speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK... albeit for purely selfish reasons.
Boy likes club. Boy plays for club at youth level. Before reaching the first-team, boy inexplicably leaves club to become an almost instant icon with another club.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Eventually, years later, original club decide they would actually quite like the boy (now a man, actually) back. But, low and behold, his current club don't want to sell!
What to do?!
Why, get all your other current players to talk at great length about how much they would like Fabregas to return to the club, of course. Really tug at the heart strings, that will.
How will this love story end? The climax has not yet been written, but for now Goal.com UK takes a look at the not-so-subtle charm offensive Barca have embarked on in recent times to try and snare their man:
ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER
"I think the less said about the subject the better. Right now we have to be very calm and what will be will be."
- Sage words from Cesc Fabregas himself. SPOILER: No one from Barcelona seems to have paid any attention to him.
"Cesc is an excellent player and a great friend. For me, he would be perfect for Barcelona. I would love to see him with the azulgrana, but we need to respect that he has a contract with his club."
- Club captain Carles Puyol kicks off proceedings for the La Liga champions, somewhat ignoring his own advice as he disrespects Arsenal's long-term contract with the player.
"It's great news that he wants to come here and I think that one day Cesc will have to come to Barca. But what matters is Arsenal and what their decision is.
"I don't know when but I have the impression that he is a Barca (style) player and that he will enjoy it very much."
- former club director Txiki Begiristain does a jig of delight after hearing about Cesc's intention to join the club. And respects Arsenal's decision by trying to make it for them.
"I think the less said about the subject the better. Right now we have to be very calm and what will be will be."
- Sage words from Cesc Fabregas himself. SPOILER: No one from Barcelona seems to have paid any attention to him.
"Cesc is an excellent player and a great friend. For me, he would be perfect for Barcelona. I would love to see him with the azulgrana, but we need to respect that he has a contract with his club."
- Club captain Carles Puyol kicks off proceedings for the La Liga champions, somewhat ignoring his own advice as he disrespects Arsenal's long-term contract with the player.
"It's great news that he wants to come here and I think that one day Cesc will have to come to Barca. But what matters is Arsenal and what their decision is.
"I don't know when but I have the impression that he is a Barca (style) player and that he will enjoy it very much."
- former club director Txiki Begiristain does a jig of delight after hearing about Cesc's intention to join the club. And respects Arsenal's decision by trying to make it for them.
"I would be delighted if he came – we played together as kids [in Barca's youth team] and he knows the club."- Lionel Messi uses the tried-and-tested 'playtime just hasn't been the same since you left' sob story to try and grab his old friend's attention.
“Two years ago, I said that Cesc would end up playing for Barcelona and now it’s clearer than ever. In addition he has already expressed publicly that he wants to come to Barcelona. It is clear that Cesc will come to Barcelona.”
- In case midfielder Xavi didn't make himself clear, he clearly believes it is clear that Fabregas will eventually end up playing at Camp Nou.
"I am sure that we can close the operation Cesc. The relations between the two clubs has been very positive and we must make sure this does not damage those relations."- New Barca chairman Sandro Rosell seemingly doesn't believe incessantly talking about wanting to sign Fabregas will damage said relations with the Londoners. Which may or may not be true. But he could at least have come up with a more
original name for the project than 'Operation Cesc'.
"We have to respect that he is owned by another club that is not Barcelona, that he is an Arsenal player and, for the time being, there's nothing to be done. [But] he is a great player that would add a lot to the team."
- Spanish World Cup winning team-mate Sergio Busquets judges, somewhat inaccurately, that he is important enough to comment on this subject. Although where he mentions 'team', presumably he actually means 'substitutes' bench'.
"It's not my business, it's not my job. I'm sorry. He's a player for Arsenal, so Arsene Wenger has the say. You have to ask them."- Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola evidently wasn't cc'd in on the club email reminding everyone to talk as much as possible about Fabregas.
"I have known that Cesc wanted to join Barcelona for many years but now it is more than about wanting to do it. Now it is something he feels he must do. The World Cup has not been a good thing for Arsenal.
"It has meant that he has been spending every day with myself, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes - and he has made his feelings very clear to us. I think already in his heart he is wearing a Barcelona shirt next season."
- Cesc's boyhood best mate Gerard Pique seems to have a high opinion of his own company. Although, to be fair, he probably is less annoying than Nicklas Bendtner.
"It has meant that he has been spending every day with myself, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes - and he has made his feelings very clear to us. I think already in his heart he is wearing a Barcelona shirt next season."
- Cesc's boyhood best mate Gerard Pique seems to have a high opinion of his own company. Although, to be fair, he probably is less annoying than Nicklas Bendtner.
"Everybody has come out and spoken of the desire we have for him to be with us next season. We would be delighted. Not just because he is a team-mate and a friend, but because it would be great for the club. We would love him to be here."
- After scoring the goal that won his country the World Cup, Andres Iniesta evidently felt it was the perfect time to discuss his own Cesc man-crush.
- After scoring the goal that won his country the World Cup, Andres Iniesta evidently felt it was the perfect time to discuss his own Cesc man-crush.
"After these years at Arsenal the best decision is for him to come back to Barcelona. Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas will be an amazing midfield. With David Villa and Lionel Messi - this would be an incredible team. I am at the Nou Camp every week, I live in Barcelona, it is my home and I would like to see this." - Even ex-Barca players can't help but get in on the act. Bulgarian icon Hristo Stoichkov puts his weight behind the move when speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK... albeit for purely selfish reasons.
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?
Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?
-
Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
