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Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas admits to struggling under transfer pressure: 'I am a Gunner, but Barcelona is where my heart is'
The young midfielder admits he has struggled with transfer pressure...
29 Jul 2010 15:02:00
By Cyrus C. Malek
Getty
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has publicly acknowledged the personal torment he has endured over the summer as he waits to see if a move to boyhood club Barcelona materialises.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of near-daily transfer speculation involving the Spanish champions, ever since telling Gunners boss Arsene Wenger at the start of the summer that he would like to return to the club with which he started his career.
But with a transfer yet to be agreed, despite the public overtures of the Catalan giants, Fabregas has admitted he is struggling under the uncertainty — especially with both clubs so close to his heart.
"I am from Barcelona. I am a club member, along with my grandfather, my uncle and my cousin," Fabregas admitted to DIR Emotions, a Catalan magazine, in comments repeated by AS.
"I feel those colours and have since I was young. I am Catalan, I am from Arenys [a small Catalaunyan municipality], I have come through the Barca youth system... However, I am Arsenal's captain.
"I am a Gunner and that is where I have made myself as a player and matured as a person."
Fabregas emphasised the importance Wenger has played in his sporting career, signing him from Barca when he was only 16 years old, and gradually giving him confidence until he assumed the duties that come with being the Gunners' captain.
"He is a second father to me, the most important person in my life after my father," Fabregas revealed.
"He has been very supportive of me and has treated my like a son. I am part of his family."
Fabregas went on to reveal that he is conscious of Wenger's desire for his star midfielder not to move to Barca.
"He does not want me to leave," he conceded.
"My last conversation with him in London was one of the most difficult moments I have had to live. I am left very touched."
Speaking of Barcelona's current players, the midfielder revealed his friendship with players such as Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol and others.
"Those players are my friends and have been for many years. They play stellar football and everything they have won they deserve 100 per cent," he noted.
"[Carles] Puyol gives me confidence and has taken care of me like an older brother. Bojan inspires calm. [Sergio] Busquets is simple and authentic. Xavi is a maestro. [Andres] Iniesta has so much patience, especially given what has happened to him in terms of injuries. [Lionel] Messi is calm, shy, and very kind. [Victor] Valdes has a lot of personality."
As for his professional future, Fabregas would only reveal: "I want to continue fighting for every title, especially the Champions League, because I am a winner."
Fabregas has been in the eye of a turbulent transfer storm, as Barcelona have pursued him and Arsenal have been resistant to any sort of move that might see their star young midfielder leave the Emirates Stadium.
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The 23-year-old has been the subject of near-daily transfer speculation involving the Spanish champions, ever since telling Gunners boss Arsene Wenger at the start of the summer that he would like to return to the club with which he started his career.
But with a transfer yet to be agreed, despite the public overtures of the Catalan giants, Fabregas has admitted he is struggling under the uncertainty — especially with both clubs so close to his heart.
"I am from Barcelona. I am a club member, along with my grandfather, my uncle and my cousin," Fabregas admitted to DIR Emotions, a Catalan magazine, in comments repeated by AS.
"I feel those colours and have since I was young. I am Catalan, I am from Arenys [a small Catalaunyan municipality], I have come through the Barca youth system... However, I am Arsenal's captain.
"I am a Gunner and that is where I have made myself as a player and matured as a person."
Fabregas emphasised the importance Wenger has played in his sporting career, signing him from Barca when he was only 16 years old, and gradually giving him confidence until he assumed the duties that come with being the Gunners' captain.
"He is a second father to me, the most important person in my life after my father," Fabregas revealed.
"He has been very supportive of me and has treated my like a son. I am part of his family."
Fabregas went on to reveal that he is conscious of Wenger's desire for his star midfielder not to move to Barca.
"He does not want me to leave," he conceded.
"My last conversation with him in London was one of the most difficult moments I have had to live. I am left very touched."
Speaking of Barcelona's current players, the midfielder revealed his friendship with players such as Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol and others.
"Those players are my friends and have been for many years. They play stellar football and everything they have won they deserve 100 per cent," he noted.
"[Carles] Puyol gives me confidence and has taken care of me like an older brother. Bojan inspires calm. [Sergio] Busquets is simple and authentic. Xavi is a maestro. [Andres] Iniesta has so much patience, especially given what has happened to him in terms of injuries. [Lionel] Messi is calm, shy, and very kind. [Victor] Valdes has a lot of personality."
As for his professional future, Fabregas would only reveal: "I want to continue fighting for every title, especially the Champions League, because I am a winner."
Fabregas has been in the eye of a turbulent transfer storm, as Barcelona have pursued him and Arsenal have been resistant to any sort of move that might see their star young midfielder leave the Emirates Stadium.
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