Three Chelsea players who will benefit from Cesc Fabregas’ move to Stamford Bridge

Considering Arsene Wenger has a degree in economics, it is surprising that the numbers did not add up for Le Professeur in regards to Cesc Fabregas this summer.

Following the news that the former Gunners captain had been made available by Barcelona, a return to the Emirates was widely expected.

However, the French manager opted against re-signing the Spaniard, leaving room for Premier League rivals Chelsea to complete a deal to take Cesc Fabregas to Stamford Bridge on a five year contract.

The west Londoners’ were reportedly set to endure a cautious approach this summer due to the threat of a Financial Fair Play infringement, but Jose Mourinho’s own business credentials have gone up a notch, considering the business he has completed thus far.

The addition of Fabregas for a fee in the region of £30 million is an outstanding piece of business given his talent, stature and ability. The midfielder is set to play a significant role for Spain in this summer’s World Cup and will then make his highly anticipated return to England’s top-tier.

Able to fulfil a variety of positions, from the centre of midfield, to a number 10 role, or even a false nine, if Fabregas is in a rich vein of form he will provide a significant amount of options to the wealth of talent already at Mourinho’s disposal.

Squawka takes a look at three £82 million trio of Chelsea players that will benefit from Fabregas’ imminent arrival. Arsenal fans, look away now.

Article taken from: http://www.squawka.com/news/three-chelsea-players-who-will-benefit-from-cesc-fabregas-move-to-stamford-bridge/122907?

Cesc Fabregas joins Chelsea in a €33.5 million deal

Cesc Fabregas has joined Chelsea where he will be expected to become a cornerstone of Jose Mourinho’s reconstructed team next season.

The Spain midfielder, currently with his national side in Brazil, returns to the Premier League after Barcelona accepted an initial € 33.5 million offer from Stamford Bridge with €3.0 million in add-ons based on appearances.

Arsenal declined to exercise an option to buy back the former captain they sold to Barcelona three years ago but are due a sell-on fee which may end up being around €3 million.

Mourinho has moved quickly to fill the impending void left by Frank Lampard’s departure from Chelsea by giving the 27-year-old a five-year deal. Both men trust the transfer can help ensure there is no repeat of last season’s trophy-less campaign in west London.

By the end of his contract Fabregas intends to have completed “unfinished business” in the Premier League and will presumably hope to leave Arsène Wenger believing he made a big mistake in not welcoming him back to the Emirates.

Unfinished business

“I do feel I have unfinished business in the Premier League and now is the right time for me to return,” said Fabregas who spent eight years at Arsenal after coming through Barcelona’s youth system.

He hankered for a return to Spain but, despite collecting four winners’ medals in his first season and celebrating the first league title of his career the following year, things did not proceed as planned.

Although he scored 35 goals in 129 appearances, Fabregas struggled to hold down a regular place at a club in which Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets were regarded as the preferred central midfield combination. He was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer.

Twelve months on, Wenger did not jump to re-engage him.

“Yes, everyone knows that Arsenal had the first option to sign me,” said Fabregas. “They decided not to take this option and therefore it wasn’t meant to be. I wish them well in the future.

“I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice. They match my footballing ambitions with their hunger and desire to win trophies. They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager.”

Fabregas is likely to be joined at Chelsea by Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

Article taken from: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/cesc-fabregas-joins-chelsea-in-a-33-5-million-deal-1.1830442

Cesc Fabregas would prefer Chelsea move over Manchester United

Cesc Fabregas would prefer to join Chelsea over Manchester United in a choice between the two clubs, reports suggest.

Such a claim is made by Spanish publication Marca, who cite both personal and professional reasons for this - including the fact that the Red Devils will not partake in the Champions League next season after a dismal spell under the management of David Moyes.

The newspaper also points to Frank Lampard's exit from Chelsea, which would seemingly afford Fabregas the opportunity to secure regular first-team football in West London - something he is far from guaranteed during a period of notable transition with current club Barcelona.

Whether Barcelona would be content to sell him to Chelsea remains to be seen, however, as does the stance of Blues boss Jose Mourinho on the possibility of such an arrival given that the relationship between the Portuguese and Fabregas has always appeared somewhat fractious in the past.

Reports earlier this week claimed that Fabregas - who is rated by Barcelona at around the £29.2 million mark - may already have had a medical at Chelsea which, if proved correct, would come as a crushing blow to the other English teams who have been frequently credited with a strong interest in pursuing the Spain international.

The seemingly never-ending avalanche of speculation concerning Fabregas' future is coming at potentially the most unsettling time, with the 27-year-old - whose previous experience of the Premier League came in a successful eight-year stint with Arsenal between 2003-11 - currently preparing for Spain's upcoming World Cup title defence in Brazil.

It is something that Fabregas should be able to cope with by now, however, with the player having become the subject of a similar saga last summer, when then Manchester United boss David Moyes was believed to be chasing his signature. 

Manchester United's interest in Fabregas does not seem to have waned since former Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal was announced as Moyes' successor, but it still appears as if the club's chances of finally landing him are slim in the face of rather stiff competition.´

Article taken from: http://www.givemesport.com/472376-cesc-fabregas-would-prefer-chelsea-move-over-manchester-united

€33m Fabregas move complete, according to Pique

Manchester United have been linked to Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas once again this summer, but over the last 24 hours, this new transfer saga seems to have taken yet another twist. Reports have been rife linking the former Arsenal midfielder with a return to London, but for Chelsea instead of their North London rivals, something which will pretty much annoy Arsenal’s supporters, which for me is a winner. At a press conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup, Gerard Piqué and Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque were caught by microphone suggesting a deal has been done which would see Fabregas leave Barcelona for a fee of €33 million. Piqué, Fabregas’ Barcelona and Spain team-mate said:

“[Cesc Fabregas] told me [the deal] is done. He’s already leaving, he told me that it is €33million.”

Del Bosque replied:

“Poor president (in reference to Club President Josep Maria Bartomeu). He can’t win for losing.”

Whether this is true is another story as no sooner than the conversation was over, both Piqué and his coach were smiling, so it could have all been a ruse for the waiting media, who are suggesting that Manchester United and Chelsea are both destinations for the Spanish midfielder. Depending on which newspaper you read, both clubs are 100% certain to sign their man, which just goes to show that nobody really knows what is happening.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balagué has stated on his Twitter account that a deal has not been struck with Chelsea. He confirmed conversations between Barcelona and Chelsea are taking place, but no deal has been struck.

Article taken from: http://mufclatest.com/e33m-fabregas-move-complete-according-to-pique/?

Arsenal prioritise three new signings over Cesc Fabregas deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has turned down the chance to bring former captain Cesc Fabregas back to the Emirates in order to pursue signings at right-back, centre-forward, goalkeeper and possibly even a top addition in a holding midfield role, according to BBC Sport.

Fabregas has been deemed surplus to requirements by new Barcelona manager Luis Enrique and made available in a deal worth €33m, leading the vast majority of Gunners fans to clamour for Wenger to use Arsenal's buy-back clause and re-sign the Spanish international in a marquee deal.

Wenger has decided Fabregas is an extravagance he can't justify though and decided to concentrate on strengthening the areas of team lacking in numbers and quality, ultimately viewing Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky as options aplenty in an attacking midfield role.

After failing to persuade Bacary Sagna and Lukasz Fabianski to stay in North London for next season Wenger first wants to make sure there is adequate cover in the two areas now left blank, while the Frenchman is also desperate to make sure there is quality cover for Olivier Giroud in attack.

The news will serve as a massive disappointment to Arsenal fans who hoped the potent playmaker's Premier League return would be an emotional reunion with the team he served so capably for eight seasons, before returning to his boyhood club Barca.

At the other end of the spectrum Chelsea now have a clear path to persuade the 27-year-old his future belongs at Stamford Bridge, as a surprise replacement for Frank Lampard.

Barca have instructed their homegrown star to find a new team, but Wenger has refused to bow to fan pressure and enter the race to claim a marquee summer signature.

Article taken from: http://www.givemesport.com/472901-arsenal-prioritise-three-new-signings-over-cesc-fabregas-deal?autoplay=on