Features

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Name: Cesc Fabregas

Age: 23

Playing Position: Midfielder

Current Club: Arsenal

International Caps/Goals: 50/6

Individual Honours: PFA Young Player of the Year 2008

Despite being born and bred in Barcelona, the home of one of the best football clubs in the world, Cesc Fabregas plies his trade for Arsenal. Barcelona FC may regret letting their young starlet join Arsenal in 2003, because ever since he left his home club to make his debut for “The Gunners”, his career has been on the rise. In 2003, Fabregas became Arsenal’s youngest ever player, making his debut against Rotheram United, and later on in the year he became the club’s youngest scorer when he netted one against the Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 2008, Fabregas was given the skipper’s armband at the tender age of 21. Ever since the departure of Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira, Fabregas has made the Arsenal midfield his very own. His technique and vision make him a deadly figure in central midfield, and added to that his ability to score from range. Cesc also helped Spain lift the Euro 2008 trophy, scoring the decisive penalty against the Italians. Such is the strength in depth of the Spanish squad with players like Xavi, Iniesta and Alonso, that Fabregas is usually left on the bench. Cesc was a major doubt for the World Cup after fracturing his right leg in April, but since then he took part in two friendly matches and is in good shape for the World Cup. There are a lot of speculations going around about Cesc’s future with Arsenal as he looks set to return to his boyhood club Barcelona. Will these speculations affect his performance for Spain at the World Cup? Only time will tell.