How C'esc eclipses his midfielder rivals
By Matt Fortune
Cesc Fabregas was the most creative player in the Premier League last season.
The Spaniard has been lauded worldwide for the way he orchestrates Arsenal’s attacking raids, and he even translated that form to the national team this summer. Fabregas’ statistics show exactly why he is held in such high regard.
Cesc topped the list of goal-makers with 19 — six clear of third in the list, Wayne Rooney — and, on average, created more chances per game than any other player. Steven Gerrard was second with 3.06 compared to Fabregas’ 3.50 per game.
Fabregas made the developmental leap from boy to man two seasons ago and his growth shows little sign of relenting. For evidence of his increased maturity, just look at his passing stats. The 21-year-old attempted 2,526 passes, the most in the League. Understand that to make the pass he has to retrieve, or in his case demand, the ball in the first place.
One criticism previously levelled at Fabregas was his lack of accuracy in front of goal. That notion was blown out of the water in 2007/08 as Cesc plundered 13 goals in all competitions and developed a real appetite for shooting. His 106 Premier League efforts on goal — broken down to 24 blocked shots, 45 on target and 37 off target — dwarfs the efforts of Michael Carrick, 17, and Frank Lampard, 56.
With Mathieu Flamini anchoring midfield behind him, Fabregas had the freedom to go forward and his instinct was to do just that. Not that he shirked any of his defensive responsibilities. In fact, Carrick, an oft-assumed deeper sitting central-midfielder, made 16 fewer tackles than his Arsenal counterpart. Meanwhile Gareth Barry, another player whose predominant duty is ‘holding’ made slightly more tackles than Fabregas but had a success rate of 54.2 per cent; the Arsenal No 4 won 68.3 per cent of his.
And yet there are more strings to Fabregas’ bow — he can cross too. His tally of 16 completed crosses betters that of Lampard and Carrick by 11 and 13 respectively.
At his current rate of growth, Fabregas’ numbers will inevitably make for even better reading this time next year.
Cesc Fabregas' season in numbers*
Appearances 32
Minutes 2859
Goals 7
Assists 19
Yellow Cards 9
Red Cards 0
Clearances 22
Shots on target 45
Shots off target 37
Shots blocked 24
Dribbles made 24
Dribbles successful 15
Dribbles unsuccessful 9
Tackles won 28
Tackles lost 13
*statistics relate to the Premier League season 2007/08
and here r some shouts about him :
"Cesc brings a dimension of football no other Premier League club can match. His vision and football understanding is way and above any other player in the Premier League.
Clive Davis, Member of Arsenal Supporters club, Norway
"We say goodbye to Vieira, up steps Cesc. Henry departs, up steps Cesc. Undeniably the most gifted midfielder in the Premiership and only 21. A magnificent footballing brain, so advanced that, like Bergkamp before him, even his team-mates sometimes cannot operate on the same wavelength. Graceful and intelligent but fierce and strong as last season has shown. A future captain and the heartbeat of the young Arsenal team."
Lucy Cole
"Fabregas is a wonderful player. He is so good that when he is introduced into a play, you will see his effect immediately that the game has improved (he dictates the pattern and pace of the game). His accurate and calculated passes cannot be waved aside."
Femi Jacobs, Nigeria
"One of the best things that happened to football this decade is Cesc. He has achieved and shown quality at at every level he plays. He makes football look so easy that I often have a rethink about having a footballing career!"(inspiring...hhmmm )
Fadahunsi Babajide, Nigeria
"What a player! He is the vital cog in Arsene's team of young superstars, making us tick with the efficiency of a Rolex watch, spraying crossfield passes with consumate ease, tigerish in the tackle and with a desire and belief that completely beggers belief for someone of his age. He is the player I always look for in every team sheet for every game, and having him there is what we need to make sure we take the fight to the opposition. I wouldn't sell him for £100 million!"
Jordan Rothery
setelah semua puja puji yg memang nyata itu.. i'm speechless... ato masih ada lagi..????
hni-Indonesian female arsenal supporter
sengaja di kutip full dari sitenya the best club in the world biar kesimpen disini, selamanya...
10.7.08
Cesc..!!!
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