Cesc Fabregas, Spanish footballing prodigy was snatched from the jaws of Barcelona (Could their covetousness of Hleb and Adebayor be retaliation?) by their fierce cross channel rivals, Arsenal FC. Arriving in England some 4 years ago at the tender age of 16, he ultimately was one of the youngest ever players to start an EPL game. An instant hit with the Arsenal fans, Cesc, at age 21 has now become the vital cog which drives the artistic and eloquent Gunners engine.
Very mature for his age, he has not only shown the discipline required to become a great player, but is also a great teammate and a standard bearer for the club. Having acclimatized rather quickly to the busy and bustling metropolis known as London, he has even managed to secure his own television special while still maintaining the highest of standards on the field during Arsenal’s outstanding but unsuccessful run at the CL, EPL, CC and FA trophies. Trophies, which are too often viewed as criteria needed to cement one’s place in football history.
His first trophy came just recently when he was a major cog in Spain’s drive to the Euro 2008 championship. Albeit starting only two games out of the six required to hoist the famous cup which Spain had not won for 44 years, he came on as a “Super Sub” and always impacted the game with his performances on the field, delivering midfield stability, goals and assists.
However, if we take away the pervasive public perception of him as being a great footballer and break down his skill set he does not cut it as a “Superstar” in the mold of a Kaka, Ronaldinho, Heny, Ronaldo , Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer and even the up and coming Argentinean, Lionel Messi.
Cesc’s attributes are his eye for a pass, precision in his pass whether it be long or short, ability to control the ball in tight spots which ultimately controls the tempo of the game, his fierce desire to win and his ability to impose his will on the game.
At a height of 5’ 10” and not being blessed with great leaping ability at best he is adequate in the aerial game. Not blessed with blazing speed, which sometimes exposes the back line defensively when he is in attack mode, he does not possess the sheer one on one trickery to take on defenses and create miraculous goals in the vein of Henri, Ronaldo and Kaka. The aforementioned have all earned their prestige by being central to their Club and/or National teams bringing home trophies at the highest level.
When Cesc is compared to other players the most often named is Deco, the Portuguese mid- fielder which new Chelsea coach Scolari has brought to roost at Stamford Bridge for the 08-09 season. Would anyone in their right mind ever call Deco a superstar? Ultimately, no. Although being regarded as an excellent player by his peers he has never been asked to wear the mantle of “Super Star” for either club or country.
What then makes Cesc a “Super Star” and the “Cornerstone” for the Gunners, one of the most famous and wealthy football clubs in the world?
Arsenal fans at AA will no doubt berate me for my thoughts on this subject, espouse me as a heretic, ask the CIA to use me as a test case for their latest water torture techniques and have me publicly whipped outside the Old Bailey by some sadistic Constable. But, as an Arsenal fan myself I have tried to rationalize my jumbled thoughts on the subject and hope this will lead to, if not an answer, then some healthy debate on the somewhat puzzling reverence and adoration heaped onto the coat tails of this young Spaniard.