Cesc Fàbregas
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas Soler | ||
| Height | 5'9.5" / 1.77 m | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Arsenal | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 13, 2006 | |||
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas Soler (born May 4, 1987 in Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, Spain), is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for Arsenal of the English Premier League and for Spain. Arsenal snatched him away from FC Barcelona B in the middle of 2003, before he could sign a professional contract with FC Barcelona.
Fàbregas has been touted as one of the best of Spain's next generation of footballers. He is able to play as an attack-minded midfielder, with the ability to play eye-of-the-needle passes, or in more of a withdrawn role in front of his back four, which has drawn comparisons with his compatriot, Liverpool F.C's Xabi Alonso. Finally, at Arsenal, he has occasionally been used out-of-position as a right-sided midfielder, although this has declined since the signing of Aliaksandr Hleb.
Fàbregas is also fluent in speaking Catalan, French, Spanish and English. [1]
Club Career
Before joining Arsenal, Fàbregas had taken part in the FIFA U-17 World Championship in 2003; winning the Adidas Golden Shoe for top goalscorer and Golden Ball for best player. His Spanish team finished second in the tournament, runners-up to Brazil.
Fàbregas made his team debut in a League Cup tie at home to Rotherham United, and in doing so became Arsenal's youngest ever first-team player. He then became the youngest goal scorer in Arsenal's history in a later round of the League Cup, scoring from very close range in a 5-1 victory against Wolves.
It was not until the start of the 2004-05 season that Fàbregas started making first team appearances in matches outside the League Cup. His first match was against Manchester United in the Community Shield and then he had four successive Premier League starts against Everton, Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City. Fabregas impressed many observers in his first four appearances, claiming a goal against Blackburn in a 3-0 victory.
He became the second youngest goalscorer in Champions League history after scoring the third goal against Rosenborg, in Arsenal's 5-1 victory.
The Spanish Under-21 international has since signed a new deal with the Gunners that will keep him at the club until 2011. With the departure of Arsenal captain, Patrick Vieira, Fàbregas has become a first-team regular in the Arsenal midfield, making a large number of appearances early in the 2005-06 season. He initially struggled to impose himself in an Arsenal side considered by many to be too lightweight and was often criticised for his lack of tangible productivity.
Despite the critics, he was lauded for his performance in the Champions League, where he presented a mature performance, despite his tender age. He was praised especially for his performance against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Then on March 28, 2006, Fàbregas participated in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Juventus. He shone in the match, scoring Arsenal's first goal and setting up Thierry Henry for the second. Fàbregas was highly praised by teammates and the press alike, who compared him to the likes of Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho and even greats like Johnny Haynes and Gérson [2].
Fàbregas's performances have attracted a considerable number of admirers in his homeland. In particular Real Madrid have expressed a desire to secure his services despite his long term contract at Arsenal. [3] However, on the 12th of July, Arsene Wenger stated that Arsenal would listen to no offers for Cesc. [4]
International Career
On March 1, 2006, Fàbregas played his first game for the Spanish senior team (becoming the youngest player capped for Spain in 80 years). He received good reviews for his debut, contributing an assist for Spain's first goal in a 3-2 victory over the Côte d'Ivoire.
On May 15, 2006, Cesc was selected for the Spanish World Cup squad. In the 2006 World Cup, he came on as a second-half substitute in Spain's first two group matches, contributing an assist in their 3-1 victory against Tunisia. He then started alongside Spain's reserve players (including Arsenal teammate Jose Antonio Reyes) in Spain's third group match against Saudi Arabia. He earned a starting role in Spain's first knockout stage match against France in place of Marcos Senna, but Spain lost that match 3-1.
On June 14 2006 he became the youngest player in Spanish history to participate in a World Cup when he came on as a substitute for Luis Garcia after 77 minutes in a 4-0 victory against Ukraine. He was then 19 years and 41 days old.
Cesc was nominated for the Gillette Young Player of the World Cup 2006, although he did not win.
Trivia
- Even though Fàbregas is right-footed, he is left-handed.
- Fabregas has been handed the shirt number 4 by Arsenal F.C. for the 2006-2007 season, the same as his idol Josep Guardiola when he played for FC Barcelona.
- Fabregas is Arsenal's youngest ever player and scorer.
Club career
(correct as of May 17, 2006)
| Club | Season | League | Cup[5] | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal | 2003-04 | - | - | - | 3 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 1 |
| 2004-05 | 33 | 2 | 3 | 8 | - | 5 | 1 | 46 | 3 | |
| 2005-06 | 35 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 50 | 5 | |
| Career totals | 99 | 9 | ||||||||
Notes
External links
- Spain stats
- Profile at Arsenal.com
- Cesc Fabregas Unofficial website
- Francesc Fabregas Unofficial Fan Site
- Statistics at soccerbase.com
- Profile at 4thegame.com
- Profile at sporting-heroes.net
- Profile at premierleague.com
- Spain Teenager Fabregas Sparks World Cup Rally, Wows Maradona
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