Barca should have spent their money on Aguero, he's better.

Aguero can´t do what Cesc does and vice versa. They already have a 24 year old who can do everything Aguero can do and then some, while they have a 32 year old who is close in ability to what Cesc offers.

They also have a 20year old who does what Cesc does and has working hamstrings.

Argentina have Aguero, Messi and Tevez in the same attacking line up, as well as the likes of Mascherano, Cambiasso and Benega behind them.

Scary.

Spain and Germany both have better squads though.

Think Argentina run them close (or better them) on paper but they don't seem capable of putting it together on the international stage. Remember that they still have guys like El flaco, Di maria and Lavezzi behind that lot. Higuain too.

All Argentinas talent is at the one end, they don't have the balance of the others. They should do alot better though, imagine what Hiddink could do with them. Actually you know who'd be great for them, Wenger. Lets swap Wenger with them for Benega.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/15/barcelona-cesc-fabregas-arsenal-tears?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29

Arsenal value the deal at £40m, which factors in a £4m loyalty payment the player has waived. Also included in the package are performance and success-related add-ons while Arsenal have a 50% sell-on clause. Barcelona have waived any options or sell-on clauses in relation to Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin, the young players who moved from the Camp Nou to Arsenal earlier in the summer.

qs! wrote:

They also have a 20year old who does what Cesc does and has working hamstrings.

Are you saying Thiago does what Cesc does?

They don't really need "what Cesc does". Thiago doesn't do it, but Cesc fits perfectly in between Xavi and Thiago in terms of age and experience.

The deal makes sense given just how much mileage Xavi and Iniesta have in the last 3 years and ahead of Euro2012, and the fact that Thiago is a bit raw. Unlike Arsenal, Barca are not going to risk putting their club's playmaking in the hands of a kid. All will play significant minutes, Barca will win things and that mob will be happy. Then next year, they will start thinking that maybe David Villa is overplayed and start talking about how RvP potentially has Catalan DNA

YoungGunsBlog Jamie Sanderson
Arsenal have the first option to buy Cesc Fàbregas back, if Barça decide to sell him in future. Interesting development.

Just need to get Gazidis, Robin, Jack et al talking about Cesc coming home every other day and we're all set.

No big team in Europe would sign Robin as their main striker.

otfgoon wrote:

YoungGunsBlog Jamie Sanderson
Arsenal have the first option to buy Cesc Fàbregas back, if Barça decide to sell him in future. Interesting development.

Just need to get Gazidis, Robin, Jack et al talking about Cesc coming home every other day and we're all set.

And when I say the real value of the deal to Arsenal is much higher than Barca's announcement, people think I am crazy.

fabregas is not coming back, the value of that clause is essentially zero.

qs! wrote:

No big team in Europe would sign Robin as their main striker.

If he stays healthy this season, which of course is a huge if, and performs anywhere near what he did last year - there will be a lot of suitors for RVP.

Barca's announcement was clearly bullshit. The whole "we said we wouldn't pay over €30m and the initial payment is €29m so we didn't" stuff was just them desperately trying to save face after their previous statements.

Humble Rex wrote:

qs! wrote:

No big team in Europe would sign Robin as their main striker.

If he stays healthy this season, which of course is a huge if, and performs anywhere near what he did last year - there will be a lot of suitors for RVP.

Quite possibly but they still wont have him as their main striker.

Why not?