If you do not believe in drama and fate, take a look at the career of Cesc Fabregas.
After a certain youth product from La Masia was brought in by Wenger to North London, he went on to make history for the club. Cesc Fabregas went on to become the youngest ever Arsenal player at the age of 16 years and 177 days. Things escalated greatly for the Spaniard under the watchful tutelage of Arsene Wenger and Fabregas was handed the captain’s armband at the age of 21.
A passionate Gunner, Fabregas’ special relation with Wenger saw him delay the inevitable return to his home in Catalonia. Finally in the summer of 2015, Fabregas made the move back home to join Barcelona but things unfortunately went wrong for the Spaniard tipped to become the best midfielder in the world.
Pep’s formation and availability of players like Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets meant that Fabregas had to leave his preferred position and adapt himself to the false-nine place in the team. Fabregas three year stay at Nou Camp proved fatal for the development of his career and he decided to leave home in 2014.
The Spaniard was angling for a move back to the place where he learnt it all but Wenger already had an array of midfielders at his disposal and could not accommodate Fabregas into his side. Then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho swooped in and convinced him to join Arsenal’s rivals.
Upon his return to the Premier League, he set the place on fire by assisting every moving object on the pitch. His form slowly waned as the season progressed and his influence on the team was completely disrupted upon Conte’s arrival in 2016.
The Italian preferred to have steel-strong midfielders with an ability to tackle in his 3-4-3 system and Fabregas at the age of 29 was again facing the prospect of having to either adapt his game or move to a new club.
Regarded as one of the smartest players on the ball and a child without it, Fabregas buckled down and improvised his game brilliantly under the tactical guidance of Conte. His grit and passion to play football saw him shoehorn his way into Conte’s team and he ended the season with six goals and eleven assists despite getting limited game time.
Now at the age of 30, Fabregas has 18 months left on his contract and Conte whose impression of Fabregas has changed 180 degrees, has instructed the Blues board to tie down the Spaniard to a new contract.
It is only logical given Fabregas has the qualities of a player now where age is not the biggest factor. He is perhaps the best player in the world right now in picking out teammates with first time long balls over 40-45 yards and his versatility means that he can play as a wing forward as well should Conte ask him to.
Chelsea will need players of such class and passion and holding down Fabregas will see the club add some much needed experience and maturity to the dressing room not to mention a champion player who has won every major trophy with club and country.
