:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5190586/136569979.jpg)
There is no denying that since Cesc's €40 million summer switch from Arsenal to Barça, he has discovered a prolific goal scoring ability. During his time in Catalonia, he has scored nine goals in eighteen league games giving him a goal ratio of one goal in every two games. An astonishing improvement considering his 35 goal tally in the whole of his Arsenal career.
The success seems to have stemmed from Pep Guardiola's decision to push Cesc forward and deploy him in a centre-forward role, a position Cesc has more then capably adapted to. During his career at Arsenal, Cesc was often praised for his passing but no one anticipated such quality in his attacking game.
Skeptics have claimed that the cause is the increased quality of player that surrounds him, when at Arsenal it would be Cesc to Van Persie who scores but these days it's Iniesta to Xavi to Alexis to Messi to Cesc who scores. If that were true surely he would be scoring easy goals such as tap ins? Not goals of the highest quality such as his amazing header against Levante or his pin point volley against Osasuna.
Cesc Fabregas Goal 17.09.2011 ~ Fc Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna (via snnfff)
In his first season at Barça, Fàbregas currently sits at second in the top scorer list. An incredible feat for a new signing. Many pundits have predicted that it is the Spaniard's La Masia experience that has allowed him to settle so quickly and gel with his new team mates. Especially as two of his "new" team mates were his best friends during his youth. Those of course being Gerard Piqué and Lionel Messi.
The chemistry is clear and as well as the credit La Masia deserves, Fàbregas’ international experience must surely deserve a mention. If you take the starting 11 for the 2010 World Cup final, seven Barcelona players were all present, while Fàbregas himself was brought into the game on the 87th minute.
The winning goal for Spain did eventually come from a Barça player, Andreś Iniesta fired past Stekelenburg in the 116th minute but maybe more importantly it was Cesc who played the eye-of-the-needle pass to find him.
Fàbregas’ newly found finishing capabilities have given him a new weapon for his arsenal, if you pardon the pun. He is now a consistent goal scorer, giving Guardiola an immense selection headache.
Back to the skeptics, when Fàbregas left Arsenal many frustrated fans joked to Cesc "good luck retiring Xavi" meaning they believed a place on the bench was his most likely destination. But they couldn't be further from the truth as Cesc knew himself that to cement your place in the Barça squad you have to up your game.
With one goal in every two games and six assists, I don't think there's any question that the new number 4 has done that.