He's had hamstring issues in 2009-2010, and 2010-2011. When you look at all that's gone on over the past two years with this nonsense, especially with the way he's been angling for a move, well... I'm not saying he was faking it, just that I wouldn't be surprised if his hamstring issues don't recur at Barcelona.
I typed "fabregas hamstring" into the google news archive, and came back with over four thousand results. It's been a consistent problem since 2007. examples: Nov. 2007 Aug. 2008 Dec. 2009 Aug. 2009 Mar. 2010 Sep. 2010 Nov. 2010 Mar. 2011
I wonder if the fact that he's already played 7 FULL SEASONS at the highest level at age 24 will impact his future endeavors? Sort of like LeBron already playing 8 years in the NBA, since he was 18? Will all those minutes early on shorten the sweet spot that is an athlete's pro career?
I remember when he emerged in WC 98, how the English press was gaga-ing over him, like he was Pele or something. Actually, didn't he actually win the FIFA Player of the year, early on? He was sort of a one trick pony, relying on speed. Now he relies on very discriminating and incriminating secret photos he has of Sir Red Nose and certain horses who reside in Sir Red Nose's stable.
It depends really He will be at Barca, where he won't have the responsibility like he had at Arsenal so that is less ware and tear Plus he had a lot of rest this summer for the first time since 2007. You may see a resurgence like that for Torres too this season because of the rest (he was motm on Sunday) Owen is still a great finisher but his speed is gone. The acl injury was the thing that ultimately finished him, IMO.
it could be that as much could be blamed on wenger's sensitivity to injuries. i wonder how many of the "injuries" we have here might be considered "walk it off" at another club?
i have a question about that, though (because you'll likely have a better grasp on it than i do) . . . i agree that he won't be the focal point of the offense but aren't barcelona more focused (than we are) on their pressure on the ball all over the pitch (including with their attackers)? while fabregas was the focus of the offense here, he wasn't focused on as much defensively where he might be asked to do more there? good summer rest is a good point. nasri had great form off of a restful summer last season.
saw him kissing the badge.....is it wrong to wish him a shit career at barca? i have no emotion regardıng this transfer and i hope his little twat mate nasri fcuks off too
There pressure system is quite different from what you see at Arsenal. Their cmids are generally so close that when the ball is turned over they only have to close a relatively short distance to pressure while their is usually a lot more space and thus more ground to cover with Arsenal which Cesc wasn't great at. If they don't change their system I don't see it being more difficult for him. When you factor in the amount of time Cesc had to hold the ball here against their very quick short passing system, the fact that he'll have players around him who are great at offering themselves as passing options, and the fact that he won't have to deal with some of the awkward/below-par partners that he had here and I wouldn't be surprised if the net effect is a much less taxing season. Cesc was often targeted with team fouling as the critical piece in our play. Barca have so many top attacking talent that there is no way Cesc gets the same harsh attention there. Then you have the huge gap between Barca and most of that league and the less physical nature of La Liga and it is hard to argue that he'll get more injuries.
It doesn't make sense but I feel like I should feel worse that he is gone. Funny thing is, I don't. I loved Cesc when he was wearing our kit but now, eh. Good luck unless we are playing you.....
Re: I want you -- The next transfer thread one million each year for 5 years and 5 millions if they win some cups or whatever...
Same here; I'm not really that torn up about it. He didn't want to play for us anymore, so in my mind, he hasn't been part of the Arsenal for some time. When he was committed, yeah, he was the man. When that stopped, and Barcelona finally got under his skin, I just wanted him gone. Leave the Arsenal for those that really care.
They can expend energy pressing because that's only a small portion of the game for them They keep the ball the for a lion share of the match
Cesc praising Jack and Aaron. Classy move on his part. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/944380/cesc-fabregas-tips-arsenal's-jack-wilshere,-aaron-ramsey-to-shine?cc=5901 I was upset by the whole Cesc transfer fiasco initially, but the more it has sunk in (for the past year +) I've come to realize he is just a young dude who wanted to go home and be in a team where many of his emotional ties are. I cannot fault him for that. The situation could have been handled a little better by all involved, but it is his life. He has the right to seek his own happiness wherever it may be.
He wanted to play for the best team in the world, which happens to be his favorite team with his friends. Don't lose sight of that (and their isn't much wrong with it, but the going home stuff is played out)
When I think of the way Barcelona handled themselves during the Fabregas transfer saga, I am reminded of the immortal words that Snoop Dogg spoke so many years ago (I may be paraphrasing here): "Yeah, all these sucka ass Catalans can eat a big fat dick, Yeah, Gerard Pique, Gerard Pique, Gerard Pique can eat a big fat dick, Xavi Hernandez can eat a big fat dick, Sandro Rosell can eat a big fat dick, yeah."