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Goal.com 50: Cesc Fabregas (45)
Our countdown of the best players of 2010-11 continues with the slick Spaniard, who soldiered through an injury-plagued season to drive Arsenal from midfield
29-Jul-2011 2:35:00 PM
By Stephen Crawford
Getty Images
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2010-11. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 21 with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
The playmaker's exploits from the middle of the pitch saw him create a total of 17 assists in all competitions over the course of the season, as well as net a respectable nine goals along the way. And while it's true that other talents notched up similar numbers, the Spaniard's spells on the sidelines meant his minutes played were noticeably less than those rivalling his statistics.
The World Cup winner's tactical awareness is almost unrivalled, his passing sublime. And in addition to his goal threat, despite not being a forward, Fabregas' adaptability and positive personality would see him fit into any team in the world with ease – and they would welcome him with open arms.
However, in February, with four competitions still very much there for the taking, Fabregas' injuries caught up with him once more as his team-mates readied themselves for the challenge of pushing aside Birmingham City in the League Cup final. It would have been the Spaniard's first piece of silverware since 2005 with the Gunners, but without Cesc's guidance and creativity on the field, Birmingham emerged victorious, whilst simultaneously signalling the beginning of the end for Arsenal's season.
While some Emirates regulars were left wondering if the outcome would have been different if their captain had played in the final, Arsenal were busy systematically throwing away the remainder of their hopes of silverware in the wake of that demoralising defeat.
Knocked out of the Champions League at the round of 16 by Barcelona and dumped from the FA Cup quarter-finals by Manchester United, the ominous vibe surrounding the camp saw to it that a run of results at the end of the season cost them any chance of Premier League victory as well, and left the midfielder bemused by his team's ability to self-destruct.
Fabregas has given all he can to Arsenal. Any club captain would be heavily chastised for so candidly revealing their wish to play for a rival European team, but Arsene Wenger's frugal transfer policy revealed a lack of strength in depth last season that was interspersed by mere shimmers of Fabregas' greatness.
While fans may be tortured by the tight purse strings of the London club, Fabregas need not suffer the same fate. It is a near certainty that the he will return to Barcelona, eventually; perhaps not this year, but the 24-year-old has a long career ahead of him. And with that thought firmly in mind, we can be sure of more moments of magic to come.
We are now fully immersed in the 2011 summer transfer window, and the Cesc Fabregas transfer saga continues to run unabated, as the Arsenal skipper openly flirts with a transfer back to his boyhood club, Barcelona.
Still seen as one of football's most talented players despite another trophyless season with the Premier League giants, the €40 million-rated creator is still seen as the rightful heir to Xavi's crown in Catalunya.
Cesc did not make the greatest start to the 2010-11 campaign due to niggling injuries that manager Arsene Wenger put down to World Cup fatigue, but the midfield orchestrator still led a dangerous Arsenal side into contention for four pieces of silverware come late February.
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"I hope Fabregas comes. His arrival will ensure the Barcelona cycle continues. He is the missing piece of the puzzle." - Spain international team-mate Xavi
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The playmaker's exploits from the middle of the pitch saw him create a total of 17 assists in all competitions over the course of the season, as well as net a respectable nine goals along the way. And while it's true that other talents notched up similar numbers, the Spaniard's spells on the sidelines meant his minutes played were noticeably less than those rivalling his statistics.
The World Cup winner's tactical awareness is almost unrivalled, his passing sublime. And in addition to his goal threat, despite not being a forward, Fabregas' adaptability and positive personality would see him fit into any team in the world with ease – and they would welcome him with open arms.
| MOMENT OF THE SEASON |
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| PREMIER LEAGUE: ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA |
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| Fabregas scored the second and provided assists for Alex Song and Theo Walcott as the Emirates audience watched Cesc guide the team to one of their finest performances of the season. |
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However, in February, with four competitions still very much there for the taking, Fabregas' injuries caught up with him once more as his team-mates readied themselves for the challenge of pushing aside Birmingham City in the League Cup final. It would have been the Spaniard's first piece of silverware since 2005 with the Gunners, but without Cesc's guidance and creativity on the field, Birmingham emerged victorious, whilst simultaneously signalling the beginning of the end for Arsenal's season.
While some Emirates regulars were left wondering if the outcome would have been different if their captain had played in the final, Arsenal were busy systematically throwing away the remainder of their hopes of silverware in the wake of that demoralising defeat.
Knocked out of the Champions League at the round of 16 by Barcelona and dumped from the FA Cup quarter-finals by Manchester United, the ominous vibe surrounding the camp saw to it that a run of results at the end of the season cost them any chance of Premier League victory as well, and left the midfielder bemused by his team's ability to self-destruct.
Fabregas has given all he can to Arsenal. Any club captain would be heavily chastised for so candidly revealing their wish to play for a rival European team, but Arsene Wenger's frugal transfer policy revealed a lack of strength in depth last season that was interspersed by mere shimmers of Fabregas' greatness.
| "The playmaker's exploits saw him pick up a total of 17 assists in all competitions, as well as net a respectable nine goals along the way." |
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