Opposing Views On Fabregas: Should He Stay, Or Should He Go?

My article today is based on comments made in an article published by fellow Bleacher Reporter Mathew Maloney. In it he outlined eloquently several reasons why Arsenal should sell Cesc Fabregas.

I found the exchanges of comments I've had with the author very interesting because they remind me of debates I used to have with Arsenal fans regarding the sale of Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira.

I've presented the two view points in their original format because I feel both sides cover crucial and relevant insight regarding the importance of Cesc Fabregas to the team.

The following is an exchange of comments I've had with Mr Maloney, so please read them carefully. In addition, I've also presented my reasons on why Arsenal should not sell and cash-in on the club captain this summer.

This is my first response (posted in the Mathew Maloney article).

"You started very well, but like in most sensationalist pieces, there are some potholes in your story.

Allow me to point some of them out:

1. Fabregas just isn't the player everybody thinks he is? Are you for real? Fabregas is a world class player, that's why Barcelona and Real wanted him. He was injured for four crucial months last year and found it hard to get going again (I personally think he was rushed and came back too early).

2. Apart from the injury, the main reason why Fab suffered last year was because of the departure of Flamini (the guy who wins the ball for him).

3. Fabregas is as crucial to Arsenal as Lampard and Gerrard are to their respective clubs. If it wasn't for Ronaldo, Fabregas would've been the player of the year in England the season before last. He was outstanding that year, and Arsenal almost won the league.

4. Your point that Fab is "shy" and "unassuming" just doesn't hold up. If you know anything about him, you would know that he absolutely hates losing—ask Mark Hughes and that orange fella at Hull.

And the fact that he is a 22-year-old ex-Barca youth player doesn't make him any less of a leader. Remember he has been at Arsenal since he was 15-years-old so he knows what it takes to play for Arsenal and lead a team of men.

5. His English is great so there's no problem there. Actually, its better than Vieira's English.

6. Selling Fabregas will not win over the media. In fact, it will achieve the opposite, they will just move to the next big player at Arsenal like Arshavin.

7. I will go along with your assessment that Fab might go if Wenger leaves, but I wouldn't use Reyes and Pique as examples for Fab to follow.

Reyes left Arsenal because he never settled there and his family refused to join him in London.

Pique had to move from Manchester because Ferdinand/Vidic partnership is way too strong.

Fabregas is the heartbeat of the team and therefore first choice. I don't think he would be first choice at Barca at the moment.

8. Fabregas is not to blame for Arsenal's winless streak. It's a team/squad game now, and you must have adequate cover for every position;

9. The only good thing from his departure is the money, but who do you replace him with? Hamsik is a good player but needs to adapt to the English game, and even then, you don't know how he'll fare.

10. What message will it send to other players if Fabregas leaves this summer? For a start, I don't think the likes of Robin van Persie would be extending their contracts. I think Arsene Wenger finally understood that selling your best players year after year is actually damaging the club's pursuit of silverware."

Mathew Maloney's response (also posted in his article).

"Well uh Jam, this is going to be long so get a coffee and sit down somewhere comfortable.. ahem:

1. This isn't a sensationalist piece, Fabregas really should be allowed to leave.

2. Real wanted Julien "I take naps on the bench" Faubert six months ago—he isn't exactly what you would call world-class is he? Barca want their player back. Madrid already have Diarra (take your pick of which one) or Sneijder to cover. If you look at it, Sneider is probably as good a player as Fabregas. It's a Spanish thing what your saying with Barca and RM;

3.True Arsenal almost won the league two years ago, Fabregas WAS outstanding....this is self explanatory.

4. How does coming onto the pitch in a hoodie and jeans prove Fabregas's will to win?! "He knows what it's like leading a team of men" (?!) How about as a 22-year-old with passable English? You can't defend Fabregas as a captain..it makes no sense from a neutral point of view (I don't support Arsenal or any EPL team) and it doesn't.

5. Vieira? Ask Roy Keane and Gary Neville how good his English is...

6. Agreed.

7. I never tried to use them as examples just illustrations, as I said Pique is being rational in seeking first team football, Reyes rational in seeking money. Fabregas is being loyal to Wenger which brings its own issues.

8. Agreed.

9. Arshavin adapted to the English game within weeks. Some players are naturally suited to the PL like Torres, Hangeland etc. and need little adaption. Wenger of all people should be able to tell who these players are.

10. What message does it send to other players that Fabregas keeps getting linked every transfer window with a move away and when Fabregas says "I'm honoured" to be linked with such clubs? You can't sell your best players every year but £30-40m for a midfielder with a 1/10 goal ratio ain't bad transfer work.

Thanks for reading Jam, I think whatever happens next season is the big one. If Wenger goes another year without a trophy (which I think he will because he hasn't bought anyone—hence why I think he should sell Fab) then all this we've discussed really come to the fore again. Unless of course Kroenke or Usmanov takes over the club outright in the meantime."

My seconds response:

The following reply appears in this article only, and it's a direct response to the issues raised in the last comment.

Allow me to respond to the main points again:

1. OK, I'll give you a break on that one. You are not a sensationalist.

2. I don't understand what you are trying to achieve with Faubert situation comparison. Are you insinuating that Fabregas is not world-class? Explain yourself.

BTW  Faubert was signed by Ramos and we all know how he flopped at Spurs. Anyways, Faubert hardly got a run at Real so I don't get what you trying to prove here. Fabregas is far superior footballer and I assure you he will not be warming the Madrid bench;

3. I agree that Sneijder may be as good as Fab, but please note that he is three years older and more experienced. Fab is already at his level at least.

4. I TOTALLY AND UTTERLY DISAGREE WITH YOUR STATEMENT THAT BARCA AND REAL WANT TO SIGN FAB BECAUSE HE'S SPANISH. This is like saying that Wenger signed Henry because he's French; Ferguson signed Fletcher because he's a fellow Scot; or Benitez acquired the services of the mighty Torres because he's Spanish.

These great managers don't run charities, and this is also the case with Barca and Real. You have to compete at the highest level to play for them; especially in creative positions;

The Barcelona hierarchy were absolutely livid when Fab left, and not because he's Spanish....they always had high hopes for him. He is still highly rated in Spain. Believe me, I could go on all night with this.

5. I still maintain my view that Fab's English is waaaay better than Vieira's, simply because he's been in England earlier and younger than Vieira; so it's understandable. The younger you are the quicker you grasp the language;

As for the Vieira/Keane confrontations, you really do not need sophisticated English to dish-out abuse;

6. I CAN AND I WILL DEFEND FABREGAS AS CAPTAIN. I think when he confronted the orange one from Hull on the pitch, he proved to a lot of fans what Wenger meant by desire when he talks about his young team.

A lot of gooners, as well as me, were very pleased with the passion radiating from him, especially that he didn't need to do anything as he was not playing.

Furthermore, a lot of fans got sucked in with the media's jibes about his dress sense—so what if he was wearing a hoodie? I don't really care. Fabregas was elated that we beat Hull, who humiliated Arsenal at the Emirates in the league, so I don't see anything wrong with him celebrating on the pitch with his team-mates.

[Actually, I love him for that]

7. I think Pique moving to Barca was a great move for him and the club, we agree on this.

However, there is nothing rational about Reyes jumping ship for money—look where he is now. I'm sure he's regretting his dumb move big time.

I cant believe you are having a go at Fabregas for being loyal to his manager. He should be commended for that.

8. Good that we agree on this.

9. Yes, Wenger should be able to find a replacement but that's not enough. Finding and identifying a player is one thing, however, capturing your target in this current climate has been difficult—think of the Melo drama with Fiorentina.

Even clubs like Man City, who have cash to burn, have found it hard to get their top transfer targets, what do you think will happen to Arsenal?

Selling Fab will be extremely easy as there will be no shortage of suiters, but replacing him will be very difficult. Therefore, it's better to hang on to your best players as money in the bank will be useless if you cant find an adequate replacement;

10. There's nothing wrong with Fabregas saying that he's "honoured" to be linked with Barca, Real or AC Milan. Every top player responds in a similar way when associated with great clubs. Fab has reiterated time and time again that he'll stay with Arsenal. It's all media BS so please don't fall for it. Non-story there.

By the way, if you examine Fab's stats since his first senior game, he averages about 1/8 goal ratio, which is not bad for a deep lying midfielder; where he's played most of his career.

Final thought

There you go, the two opposing view points.

I think it would be criminal to sell Fabregas at this stage because replacing him would be very difficult. His record in goal assists stands at 63 in 231 games, which is absolutely amazing. Where would you get a player with similar record?

On the other hand, Arsenal are short of transfer cash, and if Barcelona and Real come in with £40m; the money could be used to improve defence and striker options.

What do you fans think? The Premier League already lost Ronaldo, can it afford to lose another top player to Spain?

Please comment and vote for the point of view you agree with most.