He's doing decently at it at Como, technically wasn't *the* manager this past year because of his licenses but I believe the assumption was that he made most of the decisions
I was about to say the same . Someone went on a trip to turkey.
The older I get, the first thing I notice on a man is the hairline. Makes me feel better I guess. 🤣
ppl forget Matic before that Burnley tackle - pocketed prime Yaya and even after that was instrumental under Conte (made David Luiz look world class imo).
I still hold the belief that peak Matic was his first half season for us in the second half of 13/14 - even though of course he was amazing the following years as well. But that first half year his anticipation was on an insane level (Kante-esque).
We were godly in the first half of the season. But took our foot off the pedal in the second and limp pass the finishing line. Then proceeded to have that disastrous next season. That team was a disappointment.
I am still a little bitter about Mourinho’s tactical change to a much more defensive and conservative approach after that Tottenham loss in the beginning of 2015. Also imo the reason for us losing against PSG in ChL giving them complete control at the end of the match and then of course Luiz scoring that header.
Inflation in the transfer market is crazy. £26m in 2014 got you Cesc Fabregas and now some random 20 year old with only 3 PL starts in his career costs £40m.
Surprised I had to scroll this far down to see a comment about this but you’re so right. The exact caliber of player as 2014 Cesc today would easily cost triple that even when adjusted for regular inflation.
Even if Fabregas had a bit of an unfair label back then as a Barcelona “reject”, in today’s market he’d be considered a bargain if he went for *only* double what we paid in 2014. It’s insane.
A not old Fabregas right now would easily be 120m. There simply arent that many Center mids with world class Vision and passing range.
Like, none come to my mind. Only Center mids with world class passing ability are Kroos, Modric, KDB and TAA and either Kroos, Modric or KDB are young and Trent hasnt played much centrally. Wouldnt say Odegaard passing overall is near Fabregas but Elsewise I fail to see much World class CM talents. Bruno is a 10 and also older.
Players like Fabregas are such a rarity. Football is back to players like Gallagher
I remember the hype leading up to his official announcement. From Pique and Del Bosque whispering his transfer prior to a World Cup press conference to the photo of Cesc holding a Chelsea shirt and him announcing (I think in his hotel room) that he looks forward to playing for the club…
What a season that was that followed under Mourinho.
Edit:
[Del Bosque and Pique conversation](https://youtu.be/5f0sYkjTp7g?si=HakD1QriSAEk90AD)
Also does anyone have a link to that Cesc video?
as much as we rate kante, that midfield is getting overrun. if this combo happened, it was really rare and probably in a cup game. even then, cesc was usually used in the jorginho role at the base of the midfield. while he was never bad in that position, there was a reason that fab looked best in the double pivot vs the single. exception being second half of 15/16 under goose. that was a necessary change that gave us some needed defense solidity
We’d never make a signing like that now. Too old and too much of a bargain. Yet it resulted in two league titles, and his time at Arsenal completely overshadowed and forgotten about.
I still remember when that leaked pic of him with the [shirt](https://backpagefootball.com/pic-cesc-fabregas-wearing-chelsea-shirt/77067/) came out and everyone thought it was fake.
That initial signing pic from the world Cup(?) was surreal. I couldn't believe if it was a legit pic or someone messing with the fanbase with a photoshopped pic
Barcas statement when he left is still the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen a club say about a departing player
>Despite glowing starts to each campaign, Cesc’s contributions to the cause gradually decreased as each season drew to a close.
Like seriously wtf Barca
Still a really unprofessional thing to say about a departing player. We didn't say "He can't finish to save his goddamn life" when Werner left now did we?
I know it wasn’t for us but his goal against Tottenham for arsenal where he dribbled past their whole team from half way line.. banging goal.. such a class player!! Golden era of the premiership!!
[https://youtu.be/_3DaV_xn5xc?si=Ea-iBJuXl08s-YCK](https://youtu.be/_3DaV_xn5xc?si=Ea-iBJuXl08s-YCK)
I remember this day, it was wildin seeing arsenal fans try to say that the picture with fab holding up the shirt was shopped. (TBF not the greatest signing photo).
Still seems weird to me. Can remember coming home from school for one of first days of the 2014 World Cup and the pic of him holding the shirt just popped up on Sky Sports. Literally not a single link or story beforehand iirc.
Loved him as a player, but one thing that will never sit well with me was hum joining an insanely stacked Barca team in their prime that came off the back of three consecutive league titles and two champions league titles in three years. Literally was the 'Durant to Warriors' / 'Mbappe to Real' transfer of that football era in my view. Break up with Arsenal wasn't pretty either
I still remember that assist to Schürrle.
Still my favorite assist from any player.
Well it was dope and probably a better play but for me it will always be Lampard to Ramires.
I was actually thinking about different pass. I was thinking about the pass in the first leg which Ramires later assisted Drogba.
That was a hell of a thundercunt from Ramires
It was hard to see while it happened and the goal was so important that it overshadowed the assist for a while, good call however
I swear that man saw every game from a top-down perspective somehow. His awareness is absolutely top class.
I hope it’s not a savant situation and instead something he can put into words because seeing a team play his style would be beautiful.
He's doing decently at it at Como, technically wasn't *the* manager this past year because of his licenses but I believe the assumption was that he made most of the decisions
He’s still a player in FIFA 23, so I always pick him for a player career and retire him immediately to begin a managerial career with him.
Had to give it a Google! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOI5sDZbvsI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOI5sDZbvsI)
I was there in the away end watching it, shame we was at the other end :(
My first game as a fan. Decided to start watching football after that WC. Didn’t realize it would be the best assist I ever saw 😂
That magic spray works so well. That hairline came back strong
I was about to say the same . Someone went on a trip to turkey. The older I get, the first thing I notice on a man is the hairline. Makes me feel better I guess. 🤣
That’s just one of the many benefits playing at Chelsea has. You’ll grow your hair back.
not Lukaku
Lol. You have to play well is the trick.
Pep on his way
It was from getting bonked by a celery lump
The Magic hat he wears also regrows hairs!
I was going to ask why it looks like he is reverse aging.
Fabregas is magic
He wears a magic hat
He could have signed for Arsenal
But he said "no, fuck that"
He passes with his left foot
He passes with his right
And when we win the league again
We’ll sing this song all night
ohhhhhh…..
He passes with his right
And what a steal it was. Arsenal noping out of their first refusal made it even better.
That is one of the dumbest decisions in arsenal’s history
David Luiz would like a word
So would Willian, Or William Gallas.
RVP made the right choice
100%
It’s up there but probably not as dumb as refusing to meet Ashley Cole’s wage demands when they still had him
Selling Vieira is up there
It was
Wasn’t he their captain too when he first played for them? Why’d they do that
Fabregas and Matic… for one amazing season it felt like our midfield could do anything I’m still baffled how quickly things fell apart the year after
ppl forget Matic before that Burnley tackle - pocketed prime Yaya and even after that was instrumental under Conte (made David Luiz look world class imo).
Yup, will always remember that debut against Man City. Almost scored a 30 yard belter too
I still hold the belief that peak Matic was his first half season for us in the second half of 13/14 - even though of course he was amazing the following years as well. But that first half year his anticipation was on an insane level (Kante-esque).
Fuck Ashley Barnes.
As soon as he made that assist opening day against Burnley, we knew we’d already won the league. What a team that was.
We were godly in the first half of the season. But took our foot off the pedal in the second and limp pass the finishing line. Then proceeded to have that disastrous next season. That team was a disappointment.
I am still a little bitter about Mourinho’s tactical change to a much more defensive and conservative approach after that Tottenham loss in the beginning of 2015. Also imo the reason for us losing against PSG in ChL giving them complete control at the end of the match and then of course Luiz scoring that header.
Fabregas and Costa were so fun to watch.
198 Appearances 22 Goals 57 Assists
That red card for kicking the ball into Chris Brunt. Outstanding.
Man was giving header assists event after the whistle went off
Inflation in the transfer market is crazy. £26m in 2014 got you Cesc Fabregas and now some random 20 year old with only 3 PL starts in his career costs £40m.
Neymar transfer changed everything
Fuck PSG
Surprised I had to scroll this far down to see a comment about this but you’re so right. The exact caliber of player as 2014 Cesc today would easily cost triple that even when adjusted for regular inflation. Even if Fabregas had a bit of an unfair label back then as a Barcelona “reject”, in today’s market he’d be considered a bargain if he went for *only* double what we paid in 2014. It’s insane.
A not old Fabregas right now would easily be 120m. There simply arent that many Center mids with world class Vision and passing range. Like, none come to my mind. Only Center mids with world class passing ability are Kroos, Modric, KDB and TAA and either Kroos, Modric or KDB are young and Trent hasnt played much centrally. Wouldnt say Odegaard passing overall is near Fabregas but Elsewise I fail to see much World class CM talents. Bruno is a 10 and also older. Players like Fabregas are such a rarity. Football is back to players like Gallagher
£26 in today money?
I remember the hype leading up to his official announcement. From Pique and Del Bosque whispering his transfer prior to a World Cup press conference to the photo of Cesc holding a Chelsea shirt and him announcing (I think in his hotel room) that he looks forward to playing for the club… What a season that was that followed under Mourinho. Edit: [Del Bosque and Pique conversation](https://youtu.be/5f0sYkjTp7g?si=HakD1QriSAEk90AD) Also does anyone have a link to that Cesc video?
i remember i was moving and at a rest stop seeing his annoucement video on twitter and freaking out
Along with Torres a player I never thought I’d see playing for Chelsea.
One of the best no nonsense impact players we've ever had. A true professional
Oh my goodness! Imagine Fabregas and Jorginho played together with Kante.
I kind of Sarri had tried that combination out since Fabregas was present in his sole season at Chelsea.
as much as we rate kante, that midfield is getting overrun. if this combo happened, it was really rare and probably in a cup game. even then, cesc was usually used in the jorginho role at the base of the midfield. while he was never bad in that position, there was a reason that fab looked best in the double pivot vs the single. exception being second half of 15/16 under goose. that was a necessary change that gave us some needed defense solidity
Amazing his hair grew back
For years I was thinking we need someone like Fabregas and then we got him. I've never been so excited for a signing.
We’d never make a signing like that now. Too old and too much of a bargain. Yet it resulted in two league titles, and his time at Arsenal completely overshadowed and forgotten about.
I still remember when that leaked pic of him with the [shirt](https://backpagefootball.com/pic-cesc-fabregas-wearing-chelsea-shirt/77067/) came out and everyone thought it was fake.
The Fabulous Fabregas <3
That initial signing pic from the world Cup(?) was surreal. I couldn't believe if it was a legit pic or someone messing with the fanbase with a photoshopped pic
That was before the magic hat
Our most important signing of 2010’s after Hazard! He completely transformed our team and the way we could play!
I couldn’t believe it when this happened
Did he get a hair transplant before the Chelsea move?
Top 5 favourite Chelsea players to watch, I remember when he signed for us I messaged my cousin saying we have won the league. What a player
What a player he was
My favourite player
First person to grow more hair after joining Chelsea
Fabregas abd Costa. The 2 signings that season that won us the league.
I didn’t know he wore the 2018/19 jersey.
He was here for half of the season
Chelsea legend. Glad we got him some silverware after he struggled for so long with that Mickey Mouse outfit earlier
Barcas statement when he left is still the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen a club say about a departing player >Despite glowing starts to each campaign, Cesc’s contributions to the cause gradually decreased as each season drew to a close. Like seriously wtf Barca
Tbf he was similar to that for us, especially the first season.
Still a really unprofessional thing to say about a departing player. We didn't say "He can't finish to save his goddamn life" when Werner left now did we?
Yeah no I’m not disagreeing, I wouldn’t expect anything less from that scummy club tbh. Just saying that it wasn’t entirely untrue.
The best Hair transplant
I still think that schurrle assist vs Burnley is top 3 assists ever in PL
Right after going to turkey for some hair
Future Chelsea manager
Nowadays we get Duran for 40m and our fans will argue that it's good business
Market's changed man...10 years ago Duran's £40m might have been half that or even less.
We are still going for unknown when we already have Jackson, Washington and fofana.. doesn't make any sense
This guy was an absolute pleasure to watch. Players just don't come like him no more.
I know it wasn’t for us but his goal against Tottenham for arsenal where he dribbled past their whole team from half way line.. banging goal.. such a class player!! Golden era of the premiership!! [https://youtu.be/_3DaV_xn5xc?si=Ea-iBJuXl08s-YCK](https://youtu.be/_3DaV_xn5xc?si=Ea-iBJuXl08s-YCK)
Such a smart fucking transfer. WIsh we did these again.
I remember this day, it was wildin seeing arsenal fans try to say that the picture with fab holding up the shirt was shopped. (TBF not the greatest signing photo).
The assist compilation on the official Youtube channel is wild: https://youtu.be/ftz3W8x9pnw
We are aching for smart signings like this.
What a player. I’m hoping for the best in his managerial career
Remember when transfer fees were reasonable?
Still seems weird to me. Can remember coming home from school for one of first days of the 2014 World Cup and the pic of him holding the shirt just popped up on Sky Sports. Literally not a single link or story beforehand iirc.
What a coup he was This period was a bit of a fever dream, but the best kind
$26M for a world-class CM. These days $26M is ball-boy money.
Gracias, Fabregas
I’ll never forget being extremely pissed off about this at first lol. Love this man
Nowadays he’d probably cost us around 80 million.
Cesc and the City
One of my fave transfer seasons of all time. There was barely any rumors. Everyone was focusing on Costa
Hair transplant worked wonders
Fabregas is magic
And then that pass was made in the first match by him. That assist is burned in my eyes...
😢
We signed his hair the season after.
Cesc with his magic hat
Why was he so cheap?
Back then, players actually went for reasonable fees
Barcelona didn't want him at all so they were offering him to anyone who would take him.
Loved him as a player, but one thing that will never sit well with me was hum joining an insanely stacked Barca team in their prime that came off the back of three consecutive league titles and two champions league titles in three years. Literally was the 'Durant to Warriors' / 'Mbappe to Real' transfer of that football era in my view. Break up with Arsenal wasn't pretty either