La Liga
Fabregas: ‘It was difficult to tell Wenger I’m leaving, Guardiola sent me messages’
Cesc Fabregas has opened up on a podcast about his decision to leave Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011, the difficult part of telling Arsene Wenger and the contribution of Pep Guardiola.
THE Cesc Fabregas spoke to Kammy and Ben’s Proper Football Podcast about his departure from Arsenal in 2011 and how the manner in which he left led to it Arsène Wenger turning down the chance to have him back ahead of his move to London and Chelsea.
The 35-year-old Spaniard explained how difficult it was for him to tell Wenger that he wants to return to Barcelona while stressing that his contribution helps pep Guardiola was decisive in his decision.
“In my heart it was the easiest decision to go to Barcelona because of what I had in my past, because playing in the first team has been my dream since I was a child.
But it was really difficult because Arsenal gave me so, so much and I felt so loved by the whole club, by the fans.
It was very difficult for me to have to go to Arsene, the guy who gave me everything, to really say, ‘Please, I want to go back home (Barcelona). If it wasn’t for Barcelona, I would certainly have stayed at Arsenal. Whatever happened.
I was frustrated that I didn’t win for so many years at Arsenal and that I’m “losing” because I gave so much and played 60 games a season and never rested.
It touched me very emotionally. And then I saw everyone at Barcelona winning and playing so well and Pep called me and texted me: ‘I want to do this, I want to play 3-4-3, let’s all play together and blah blah blah
Guardiola was a big influence for me because he was my idol when I was very young. I wear number 4 because of him. I played in his place when I was at Barcelona academy.
And when your idol, your hero, calls you and then it was like you see what a nice football they play and there are so many of your friends playing there.
When I signed for Barcelona I said Arsenal will be the first choice if I leave. You had one week to reply.
So obviously we approached Arsenal and said: “Look, I’m leaving Barcelona and you have a week to decide whether you want me back or not.”
I couldn’t speak to any other group for a week. After a week we called Arsene and he said that he had thought about it and that they already had a lot of players in my place like Mesut Özil… Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and he said he would have to pass someone send out and that might work, you know…
I also think he was a little hurt with me leaving and stuff. I don’t hold grudges because it’s their right, their choice, and they could do whatever they wanted.
I had a couple of options and one of them was Chelsea. I spoke to Mourinho, I met him. He told me things that were very nice to hear. He wanted me to be the leader of that team.”
Source: sport 24
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
Marcos Llorente scored the only goal in Atletico’s injury-time win over Sevilla, lifting them to third place in La Liga, ahead of Barcelona.
Atletico defeated Sevilla with 1:0 in their procrastination game 4th matchday and overtook Barcelona for 3rd place in the La Liga standings.
The Rojiblancos were superior for most of the game, but in the first half the visitors managed to keep a clean sheet. However, at the start of the second period, Marcos Llorente, one of Diego Simeone’s two half-time substitutes, scored the first goal.
Another change almost made the difference when Caglar Seyunjiu came on in the 66th minute and was sent off four minutes later with a straight red card.
Quique Sanchez Flores’ men failed to threaten against ten opponents and Atlético picked up an important win before half-time.
The program for the 19th matchday
- 01.02. 6:00 p.m Getafe – Rayo Vallecano
- 01.02. 8:15 p.m Real Sociedad – Alaves
- 01.02. 10:30 p.m Valencia – Villarreal
- 01.03. 6:00 p.m Granada – Cadiz
- 01.03. 8:15 p.m Real – Mallorca
- 01.03. 8:15 p.m Celta-Betis
- 01.03. 10:30 p.m Girona – Atletico
- 01.04. 6:00 p.m Osasuna – Almeria
- 01.04. 8:15 p.m Seville – Sporty
- 01.04. 10:30 p.m Las Palmas – Barcelona
Source: sport 24
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
Real Madrid have suffered a major blow to their central defense due to injuries and one of the things they have on their list ahead of January is the loan of 20-year-old Brazilian central defender Robert Renan from Zenit.
After the serious injuries to David Alaba and Ender Militao, Real Madrid have entered the transfer market to sign a central defender.
One of the cases that the Merengues are considering, according to AS, is 20-year-old Brazilian central defender Robert Renan, who plays for Zenit St. Petersburg. Madrid initially wants to bring him in with a loan and a purchase option for next summer.
The young footballer is exactly the right person to strengthen the Merengues as he is left-footed and can develop into a very good footballer. This particular formula would also satisfy Zenit, but there is a non-football problem.
Groups linked to the Russian state continue to face sanctions from the European Union (and the US) over the military invasion of Ukraine. Specifically, teams cannot receive an amount over 108,000 euros.
Zenit is owned by Gazprom, one of the most famous oil companies (in the world) controlled by the Russian state.
Source: sport 24
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
According to the German newspaper “Die Welt”, Barcelona is threatened with exclusion from the new Champions League due to violations of Financial Fair Play. However, the Catalans are not aware of the specific risk.
A few hours after the legal recognition before the Court of Justice of the European Union of the European Super League, a project that Barcelona and Real Madrid have “operated” from the beginning until today, the Blaugrana are in adventure.
A publication by German newspaper Die Welt reports that the Catalans are at risk of being banned from the new Champions League (for up to three years) due to Financial Fair Play violations. Barcelona announced gigantic profits (a whopping 304 million euros), but according to the report, UEFA will audit the finances as the income must only come from “football activities”.
Barcelona reported on its balance sheet revenue from “Barca Studios”, the project that manages the team’s audiovisual material, such as the team’s official channel (Barca TV).
Sources in Barcelona management told Mundo Deportivo that they were unaware of the scenario in question.
Source: sport 24
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
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