Why we Should sell Cesc Fabregas

This is Pt 1 or a 2 Pt postings on why we should, and shouldnt sell Cesc Fabregas.

Cesc Fabregas over the last 7 years has arguably been Arsenal’s best player. Now Captain and talisman of this Arsenal team, few think Cesc should leave us this summer.

But why not? Arsenal FC is, at the end of the day, a 25 man squad. Would loosing 1 player really mean the end? Arsene Wenger made an interesting point during an interview the other day, he said of the 58 games Arsenal have played this season, Cesc has featured in only 22. So is really Cesc such an integral part of the squad? Considering we have been without him for over half the season, why is it such a bad idea to cash in on him, and buy 1 or 2 experienced players who will play 30+ themselves?

Everyone can see that over this past season, Cesc hasn’t really been in it. I personally think that since the end of the 2008/09 season when he made his intentions perfectly clear that he would love a return to Barcelona, that his heart has never truly been in it 100%. He then made his intentions clear again at the end of the 2009/10 season when he came out publicly saying he wants to leave, and then after Spain’s succeful World Cup campaign, many Arsenal fans were infuriated with images of Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique pulling a Barcelona shirt over Cesc.

Now whilst you can say it was in the heat of the moment and they where celebrating, which is in fact, exactly what Cesc father said;

It was a day of celebration and anything goes. If anyone misinterprets it, they have to see that it was part of a celebration.

No matter how you look at it, Cesc may have been put in an awkward situation yes, but he put it upon himself. Knowing he was going to the World Cup with pretty much half the Barcelona side, maybe saying the wants to join them wasnt the best decision.

Last summer, if rumours are to be believed, Barcelona came extremely close to signing Cesc, and many said a deal was struck with Arsene for one more year, then he’d be allowed to leave.

If Barcelona came forward and offered £40m for Cesc, Arsenal would be stupid to turn it down. He will leave at some point, that is a guarantee, he will return to the Nou Camp, so why not get as much as possible for him. Every season that passes means one year less on Cesc’s contract, which means Barcelona can offer less. Arsene needs to accept that and capitalise on his potential monetary value.

I have always felt that with Cesc in the squad, it’s a little like a Sunday league team. When there is 1 player who is guaranteed a place on the starting 11, no matter if he turns up for training, is short on form, or the rest of the team hate him. He will always get to play. And then in the game, everyone is looking to give the ball to him no matter who else is open, because he’s the “best” player. When this player is not around the get in the squad, the remaining players strive to play better to get picked, and the game opens up because the match isn’t funnelled through one, predictable, position. Beneficial to the whole club.

With £40m, Arsene could sign Scott Parker for £10m, another midfielder for circa £15m and another defender for £15m. 3 players from the transfer fee of one player. Why is this such a bad deal?

What could be even better if rumours that Guardiola has put a deal of the table of £32m plus up to 2 players in a swap. How great would it be to get £32m plus Busquets and Bojan. Arsene could then use the £32m to sign 2 more players, half a new squad from one.

Let’s not kid ourselves either, Cesc hasnt had the best of seasons, many times I’ve wished that Arsene would start with ANYONE else, just so Cesc realised he was not guaranteed a starting place. Competition does breed success.

Also not to be forgotten is Fabregas’ current position of AMC, we already have a perfect replacement. Nasri. The frenchman has great ability and could do the exact same job as Fabregas, possibly even better. Samir has mentioned before he would love to play in that role, but he know that while Cesc is in the squad, he will never get it. Time to step up.

It will happen, it is inevitable, Arsene needs to sell Cesc so this Arsenal team can move on. Fabregas could be more damaging for this Arsenal team right now that good. His ability has never been in question, but mentally he has not been with it for quite some time now. Allow him to move on, and then the Arsenal can do the same.

It’s been said by many people, because it is probably the truest statement ever, “No player or member of staff is bigger than the club, no one.”