Legendary Arsenal centre-back, Nigel Winterburn, feels that the time has come for the Gunners’ skipper Cesc Fabregas to fulfil his dream and join his dream club, Barcelona.
The 24-year-old Arsenal skipper is heavily linked with a move back to his boyhood club, the newly crowned Champions of Europe and Spain, Barcelona. Fabregas, who joined Arsenal in 2003, publicly expressed his wish to return to Barcelona last summer. The Catalan giants also made two official bids to attain the services of the Gunners captain but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger rejected both offers.
Fabregas’ current contract runs until 2014 and Nigel Winterburn reckons that the Spaniard can kill off his desire to join Barcelona as he has huge respect for the club and manager. But the former Gunners defender feels that Arsenal should let Cesc Fabregas go and prepare for life after him.Winterburn told the reporters, “Cesc clearly wanted to go last to Barcelona last year, but he is under a long contract at Arsenal and is not the type of player to kick up too much of a fuss. He has too much respect for his manager and club to do that.”
Winterburn believes that time is perfect for Arsenal to get maximum transfer fee by selling Cesc Fabregas, considered as the most creative midfielder in England and also seen as the natural successor to world’s best midfielder, Xavi Hernandez.
“Arsenal will call the shots though, and can ask for as much as they like from Barcelona. It would have to be in excess of £30m for a player of Cesc's calibre who is still only 24,” added the legendary Gunners defender.
Nigel Winterburn also doubts Arsene Wenger’s current philosophy about football which has failed to win any silverware in past six seasons. Arsenal squad is built around Cesc Fabregas, who relies more on his technical ability than physicality, and Winterburn thinks the Gunners can change their style of play after the departure of Cesc Fabregas.
Winterburn added, “The current system based on technical ability has been found out in the last few years, and Arsene may look to go in a new direction.”
Fabregas’ last season was hampered by injuries as the 24-year-old midfield magician only played 35 matches. The Spaniard still scored nine crucial goals from the midfield and provided 17 assists in all competitions.
Moreover, the 24-year-old has also been linked with Barcelona rivals, Real Madrid, and English high-spenders, Manchester City, but Barcelona remains Gunners skipper’s most likely destination.
