Country: England
Player:Rice
I don't hate Cesc, I just don't care about him. I barely even associate him with Arsenal these days unless he's doing his begging / pandering on social media.
I think the poll leaning 60/40 to Özil is kinda funny honestly, lots of people still bitter about Cesc.
Both top players on their day capable of unlocking any defence but Cesc had that heartbeat feel about him where Özil kinda drifted in and out of games.
Still think we could have accommodated both had the stars aligned and we bought in a dedicated DM, played Cesc as a DLP/B2B hybrid and Özil ahead, would have been nuts with Alexis in the team as well.
I think the poll leaning 60/40 to Özil is kinda funny honestly, lots of people still bitter about Cesc.
Think it’s more Real Madrid Özil was considered more than the version that got into twitter wars with the club.
Could also be bitterness though sure.
Had he just not joined Chelsea he would have been in my good books actually. His latter career shows he didn’t absolutely have to play there.
Have no ill will he’s done what’s best for him, but the way fans go on about him shows we’ve been sh*t for a long time. Hopefully Ødegaard etches this guy out of the convo for good.
Just out of curiosity, where do you think Cesc should have gone? He wasn't a fit at Barca, and wanted to come back here but we already had Özil so Wenger said no.
At the end of the day he's a footballer and chose to go to a big club that would have him.
There was only one viable competitive italian team back in 2014 - Juventus. Indeed, if you looked all around Europe, you can see that:I think Juventus and some other big Italian clubs were in for him and seeing as he now plays in their 2nd division I'm sure that was a viable option. Utd tried to sign him multiple times, but he didn't want to play for Moyes (not that this was that much better).
He had far more choice at top level than the average player anyways.
There was only one viable competitive italian team back in 2014 - Juventus. Indeed, if you looked all around Europe, you can see that:
Spain: Barcelona and Madrid were not a option, of course.
Italy: Juventus was an option. Milan and Inter Milan were in crisis. All the others were not competitive.
Germany: Fabregas didn't fit in Klopp system, probably. And Fabregas wouldn't join a Guardiola side after their problems in Barcelona.
England: Finally, in England there was 5 teams. Man City and United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. The first three were probably out of consideration because Fabregas wouldn't like to live in Manchester/Liverpool area. He always moved around buzzy jet-set areas, like Monaco, London and Barcelona.
Arsenal and Chelsea left, Wenger apparently said no for a comeback.
So Fabregas was left between Juventus and Chelsea as the only viable options. He probably chose to play for a Mourinho side, as he probably tought a Mourinho side would be more competitive on UCL - The only title left for him to win.
Funny enough, the Wenger decision to not have Fabregas back probably cost Arsenal the 2014-15 and or the 2015-16 Premier League title.
Lets face it, if he returns in due course all that really matters is how good he is as a coach. Even with the anger from many, there is still enough credit in his Arsenal bank for him to be accepted warmly fairly quickly as long as he does a good job.I would give Fabregas a chance within the club structures if he makes the grade. He seems intelligent and also seems serious about coaching football.
I can see where Cesc is coming from. He wanted to achieve in his career, and he was willing to force a move for that. But he also knows that Arsenal is his real home because of what the club has done for him I think he wants to come back, get a chance and take it, and make right with the club.
Not everyone will want that, sure. But if he is good enough, let him come back and pay for his sins.