Barcelona Transfer News: How Does Cesc Fabregas Fit with the European Champions?

At this early stage, it remains to be seen how Cesc Fabregas will figure in Pep Guardiola’s plans. There have been suggestions that Barcelona could opt for a 3-4-3 formation or that Fabregas may not even get a game with the talents of Iniesta and Xavi ahead of him.

Both those assertions are quite wide of the mark.

Fabregas, despite being considered a trophy signing by President Sandro Rosell, has been brought in to add depth and strengthen the side—on request of the manager, Guardiola.

Barcelona are at a stage now where they needed to start looking for the long-term replacement of Xavi.

The player—who still has a number of years left at the top level—has begun to hit that patch in his career where injuries will start to slow him down. It's unrealistic to suggest he could play 50-plus games a season for a club competing on three fronts.

Andres Iniesta is another who has been blighted by injury these past two seasons. Often pushed further forward alongside David Villa and Messi, that extra spot in midfield could and will open up at various points in the season for Fabregas.

But it is unfair to suggest Cesc will be used as a "super-sub" or only when others are unavailable.

This is a player who is statistically the best midfielder in Europe, and he will have no trouble forcing his way into the Barca starting XI.

Suggestion of a change in formation is something which seems a little out-worldly, especially considering that Barca’s famous 4-3-3 goes from top to bottom; youth teams at all ages right the way up to the first team.

A change in formation for this club would suggest a radical overhauling of tradition and the ideals left by Johan Cruyff.

It would be unreasonable to think Fabregas could feature as early as tomorrow’s Spanish Super Cup tie with Real Madrid, as he lacks playing time over the summer. Caution and gradually easing him in is likely to be the route Guardiola takes.

Alongside emerging talents like Thiago—who dazzled spectators at this summer’s European U-21 tournament—Fabregas will add quality and depth. The ability the player has to not only provide assists in double figures but add goals, too, will be a priceless asset.

The goal-scoring burden laid upon Lionel Messi will be eased, and along with new signing Alexis Sanchez, Fabregas will greatly add to the already formidable squad Barcelona possess.