Francesc Fabregas

Arsenal’s “El Capitano”, a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Francesc Fabregas has been in quite a messy situation in the past 2-3 years. Though he is apparently content about his Arsenal career (Arsenal have not won a trophy in almost 6 years), but his heart still yearns to play at the Camp Nou.

Fabregas, a Catalan, was trained at Barcelona’s youth system. He played alongside current Barca mainstays Messi and Pique at the youth team, and is friends with most of the Barca squad. Unable to break into the first eleven in spite of putting up impressive displays, Fabregas moved to Arsenal at an age of 16.

At Arsenal, he managed to make the central midfield position his own, due to injuries of important players in the 04-05 season. Cesc also brokea few records, becoming the youngest player ever to play for Arsenal and also the youngest goal scorer for the club.

Back in 2006, Cesc signed an astonishing 8 year contract. Arsenal were a force to reckon back then (or at least looked like one), in contention for almost all titles (but not winning any) and had just lost the Champions League to his beloved Barca. Committing yourself to the club is one thing but, an 8 year contract in itself, is outrageous.

Forward to 2010, Arsenal are in the middle of a prolonged dry patch with no definite signs that anything otherwise might happen. Barca are the focal point of football. Barcelona and Fab suddenly reconcile and want to get back together.

Though it is certain that Fabregas is one of the most talented players in the central midfield role, he is unlikely to have much first team action even if he does move to Barca. Iniesta and Xavi, with their psychic passing will definitely not be benched for Cesc.

Barca are so keen on getting Fab back to Camp Nou that after Rafael Marquez, their previous number 4 left, the shirt has been saved for Fabregas. Cesc grew up idolising then captain and now manager of Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, who donned the shirt during his career and plays with the same number for Arsenal.

Though Fabregas’ desire to move to Barcelona – who can guarantee titles – is understandable, it is hard to contemplate Barcelona’s obsession with Cesc. In the form of Xavi and Iniesta, they have two of the best midfielders ever to have graced the field. Also on the bench is the young and upcoming Thiago Alcantara, who has been tipped to be the successor to Xavi. Barca have the solution (if there were a problem in the first place) sitting right on their bench. But, it is that which is out of your reach, you crave for.

Tags: Arsenal, Barcelona, Camp Nou, Francesc Fabregas, La Masia Academy