The experiment of bringing Cesc Fabregas to Barca to complete Joan Laporta’s Catalunyan legacy seems to have taken another twist.
The Spanish midfield maestro has his version of “In Wenger we trust” after meeting with Arsenal’s gaffer.
“He told me to concentrate on my football, he told me to concentrate on the World Cup, and he told me to leave it in his hands: [that] he will deal with whatever happens in my future. That’s what I am doing – just concentrating on football.”
The more wishy washy statement is a far cry from a more definitive, ” I am packing my bags to return home and no one can stop me” situation that was prevalent two weeks ago. What did Wenger say to him to drop the hardball? It was the greatest meeting according to Fabregas which could not have helped Laporta’s blood pressure.
Spanish clubs like Barca and Real Madrid operate on elections which are legacy driven. Eveyone wants to outdo Joan Gamper or Alfredo Di Stefano. Every time this happens, it leads to the unseemly sort of rows as witnessed between Man Utd and Real Madrid over Ronaldo, and now Arsenal over Fabregas.
What angered the Arsenal management were the tactics used by Barca, putting the media up first as a front for the Fabregas return without the courtesy of a direct approach.
In fact, there has been no contact between the two clubs. Meanwhile, all the stories are how this transfer should be wrapped up before the World Cup and the Barcelona elections so that Laporta can have his Barca Hall of Fame moment. Fabregas is a pawn in all these electoral manipulations. Some more reality based commentators are already telling Barca to layoff the Arsenal player – to let him concentrate on the World Cup. They need his mind and legs, distraction free.
Is a talisman bigger than a club? One would say, never. But in Arsenal’s case it is not so simple. You only become talismanic if you stay long enough.
The battle will be resumed over the summer after the World Cup is over. I think at this point Arsenal have the upper hand. An exorbitant price tag on Fabregas and Barca will balk. The calm calculus of reason takes over as critics point to the full deck of players in the club’s possession. It seems more likely that Arsenal will retain the services of Fabregas at least for another season.
I have said it repeatedly, Fabregas gives the impression of a grim faced lone ranger on the pitch doing battle in Arsenal colours. Bring back his joy by giving him a crew that believes in the club.