“Perfect” Cesc flies out to Barca; Arsene unworried
Add comment November 10th, 2007
Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard has dropped the latest in a succession of hints that the Catalan outfit are trying to lure Cesc Fabregas back to the club where he began his career:
“He’s one player that stands out most in the football world because of his enormous talent. I do not go searching for any defects in people, but the truth is you do not encounter any [in Fabregas].”
During his week off, Cesc flew out to Barcelona to visit family and friends. But nothing more. And Arsene is unworried. Rightfully so, judging my quotes from this interview between Cesc and Guilleme Ballagué published in today’s AS:
“When one comes to England one always thinks about returning to Spain some day. But the truth is that all the time I’m feeling more comfortable – I love the city, the people, the club. Each day I get to know more people, I identify more with the spirit and the team. To tell the truth: all the time I have more to gain by staying here a long time – all my career.”
Nice reading on a Saturday morning, isn’t it. If I have time I may do a full translation of the interview tomorrow.
Steve Coppell has moved to criticise the fact that Arsenal do not bring through enough English players. Yet a glance at the England squad announced yesterday will show you two Arsenal youth team graduates: Ashley Cole and David Bentley. When you consider that we’ve also given the likes of Steve Sidwell, James Harper, Jermaine Pennant, Stuart Taylor, and of course Justin Hoyte and Theo Walcott significant Premier League exposure, you have to wonder just what Coppell is talking about.
Kolo Toure, Aleksandr Hleb, Cesc, and Tomas Rosicky will all be in the squad for Reading, whilst Philippe Senderos will not be available despite a return to full training. Beyond that, it’s only Robin van Persie whose missing. Arsene has suggested there could be ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.Â
The pea-brained Mark Lawrenson has predicted a draw. If ever there was an incentive to win a game, this is it.
