In the summer of 2011, perhaps one the most inevitable transfer sagas in Premier League history finally reached its conclusion as Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal to return to Barcelona. The midfielder had made no secret of wishing to move to the club that he started at as a youth team player, and Barcelona themselves were desperate to secure the man who was expected to be the long term future of their midfield.
However last Tuesday night against Milan, Fabregas was dropped to the bench, and Barcelona produced one of the best displays of the season to win 4-0 and overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. Whilst the side celebrated, Fabregas might well have been wondering exactly what his place would be in the team from then on.
So far in his Barcelona career Fabregas has been fitted in by moving Andres Iniesta wider, and Lionel Messi forward in a formation that allows the former Arsenal man to operate in his favoured central position. However Barcelona have frequently ended up with Messi, Iniesta and Fabregas all treading on each others toes in the middle of the attack.
Against Milan, Villa came in for Fabregas and took Messi’s place in the centre of the attack, allowing the brilliant Argentine to drop deep and find space to devastating effect. Iniesta came into the middle with Pedro on the left flank, and when Iniesta is in his best position, Barcelona are simply a far better side.
After the Milan game it will be difficult for Barcelona to bring Fabregas back in, and when Tito Vilanova returns to take charge of the side again, you would expect that Villa will be first choice. Not only is the Spanish striker lethal in front of goal, he helps get the best out of Iniesta and Messi, two of perhaps the top three players in the world.
For this season then, things look bleak for Fabregas, who is clearly an excellent player himself but unfortunate to be competing with the very best. However in the long run, phis role will most likely be to replace Xavi in the middle of the formation. Xavi is 33, and Barcelona’s renowned high-tempo pressing style is unlikely to help him prolong his career into his late thirties.
Fabregas clearly has the ability to play this role, and would have played more in this position already if he was not once again fighting for the place with one of the best players in the world. When he moved to Barcelona he will have known that the midfield on their first team is the most competitive position in the world, but, at 25, time is still on his side and he has all the attributes to become as important a player for Barcelona as Xavi and Iniesta are now.
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