Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has said he that former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas retuns home to Arsenal despite many pundits thinking that the Barcelona star will end up at Stamford Bridge.
The move back to Barcelona has not been the dream return to his boyhood team that Fabregas was hoping for, and with Barcelona needing to raise money to fund their own summer transfer spree, Fabregas is being flogged to any Premier League team that can come up with the £30-40 million need to buy him.
If Fabregas came back to the Emirates that might mean less playing time for Cazorla, but the Spanish midfielder would like to see his countryman back in a red shirt of Arsenal.
“I’ve read that he could go to Chelsea but I’d prefer him to come to Arsenal because he’s a great player and they really love him there,” Cazorla said at a news conference with the Spanish national team. “I don’t know what his future is, but I hope that he will be happy and enjoys the team wherever he is.”
Cazorla said Fabregas deserved more praise for the way he has performed in La Liga since his return to Spain in 2011.
“I don’t think there’s a big difference between Cesc’s performances in the Premier League and La Liga,” the 29-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Malaga in 2012, said.
“His statistics are great at Barcelona but he’s not valued the same as in England. There’s no difference in his numbers. He’s adapted perfectly to both leagues.”
I think that Arsenal fans could forgive Fabregas if he went to Old Trafford. Man United were stingily linked with him last season, but United CEO Ed Woodward was unable to close the deal.
But a move across town to Chelsea and Jose Mourinho would be a bitter pill to swallow, especially from when from a playing perspective he is a natural replacement for Frank Lampard.
I expect Fabregas to be back in the Premier League next season, and to be playing for a London side. But will he be wearing red or blue?
