Fabregas goes to Barca for £35million

[Alan B'stard]

I dont know why people re so het up about getting a like for like cesc replacement.
1) there isnt one
2) the last five years have shown us that building a premiership team around a tiny playmaker with dodgy hammies is doomed to failure.

We should be taking the opportunity to cash in on the homesick greedy little ingrate and getting back to the way we used to play. That mean switching the focus of the team and recruiting/deploying according to players' strengths - not their abaility to impersonate cesc fabregas.

[Darth Vela]

I agree if he's here he'll do his best, he doesn't seem to be the kind to sulk around the place.
He's obviously going to go at some point, I personally think we've reached the stage where we can copy without him - arguably need to build a team without him. And I don't think £35m is underselling him. Not ever so convinced he'd be a regular starter for Barca, I wouldn't pay more than £35m for a squad player either. And while some silly money is flying around in the real world that is about what he's worth IMO.

From their perspective then I can see 35m is a lot for a squad player but the prices have been inflated, no matter how artificially, and if we take less than a decent market price for a class act like Cesc then it could only hurt us as there'd be less to spend on replacements.

[Alan B'stard]

Is a one off game a valid counter-argument? I don't watch enough football these days to have much of an opinion about Sneijder but his performance in one game, even a big game, is not hugely informative in the debate.

OK I take it back. wesley > cesc.
yay

[Japan Shaking All Over]

I can see a strong midfield without Cesc but if Nasri was going to become the centre of the wheel than some stonger spokes are needed

I like Flavs comment about Keita he would do a good job in the centre, Song is our man at the moment but I saw his influence wane towards the end of last year, would like to see him rediscover himself (back to his original hair colour would be a start) cos I he can be immense for us at times, ........not sure we need a widey like Affelay although I would have taken Hazard

[Letters]

I dont know why people re so het up about getting a like for like cesc replacement.
1) there isnt one
2) the last five years have shown us that building a premiership team around a tiny playmaker with dodgy hammies is doomed to failure.

We should be taking the opportunity to cash in on the homesick greedy little ingrate and getting back to the way we used to play. That mean switching the focus of the team and recruiting/deploying according to players' strengths - not their abaility to impersonate cesc fabregas.

Basically agree with your post but that is unfair IMO. He's given us at least half his career and his best years have been in a fairly unsuccessful team while Barca conquer all before them. He's never made any secret of his desire to go there one day and IMO if he went this summer you couldn't accuse him of jumping ship at the first opportunity.

[Letters]

OK I take it back. wesley > cesc.
yay

Oh I seeee, you're an idiot. Fair enough.

[Power n Glory]

I agree if he's here he'll do his best, he doesn't seem to be the kind to sulk around the place.
He's obviously going to go at some point, I personally think we've reached the stage where we can copy without him - arguably need to build a team without him. And I don't think £35m is underselling him. Not ever so convinced he'd be a regular starter for Barca, I wouldn't pay more than £35m for a squad player either. And while some silly money is flying around in the real world that is about what he's worth IMO.

They not desperate to buy, we're not desperate to sell. It's not as if Barca have forced our hand and he's only got a year left on his contract. A lot can happen next season. Xavi could start getting injured and lose form, we may actually end up winning something while Cesc is enjoying playing his football. We don't have to sell this year and we only weaken the team in the process. Ramsey and Whilshere could learn a lot from Cesc and adding to this current team makes us stronger.

If we win something major next season and we know that Wilshere and Ramsey are ready to step in, we'd be in a better position. We shouldn't feel pressured into selling if they don't want to cough up the cash. As you said, Cesc will do his best while he is here.

[Cripps_orig]

yeah I remember how he took charge of the world cup final.

Good for you.

I remember him taking charge for Inter in their treble winning season and he was Hollands best player during that same world cup you mention.

Kids

[Cripps_orig]

They not desperate to buy, we're not desperate to sell. It's not as if Barca have forced our hand and he's only got a year left on his contract. A lot can happen next season. Xavi could start getting injured and lose form, we may actually end up winning something while Cesc is enjoying playing his football. We don't have to sell this year and we only weaken the team in the process. Ramsey and Whilshere could learn a lot from Cesc and adding to this current team makes us stronger.

If we win something major next season and we know that Wilshere and Ramsey are ready to step in, we'd be in a better position. We shouldn't feel pressured into selling if they don't want to cough up the cash. As you said, Cesc will do his best while he is here.

More importantly, i think that is the first time since Sir jack came on the scene, you have got his name right.

Even though you spelt it wrong in the previous paragraph

[Power n Glory]

More importantly, i think that is the first time since Sir jack came on the scene, you have got his name right.

Even though you spelt it wrong in the previous paragraph

Lol, I thought he had two H's in his name.