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Cesc Fàbregas’ time at FC Barcelona has been something of an odd experience, and one that can be characterised with a single word: "reasonable". When the deal was announced, it was done so at a reasonable price; expectations were reasonable, everything was reasonable with Cesc. He was reasonably athletic, reasonably tall and reasonably creative. His defensive work-rate was reasonable, his performances in the big games was reasonable and even his attitude was reasonable.
In fact, I’ve never quite known a single player could spark such indifference from so many.
Yet in reality, nothing should have ever been reasonable about this deal. This was a former La Masia graduate returning home; "the prodigal son returns ready to lead his club in a brave new era". Fàbregas never should have been "just another player". He should have been the man or at least, something more than he ultimately turned out to be.
And of course, everyone is looking for someone to blame – just who is responsible for this? Is it the player himself? Was it Pep Guardiola for his failure to define Cesc’s role with the team in the formative spell of his return? Maybe the club was to blame for making the deal in the first place? Whatever the case, the media are suggesting that FC Barcelona and Cesc Fàbregas are ready to part ways once again – and suddenly, indifference is a thing of the past.
Everyone has an opinion one way or the other – you’re either with him, or you’re against him. Pick a side, or risk being ostracised by your peers. But why can’t the option of indifference remain?
Unquestionably, there may be better options out there, younger options who better suit the style that Luis Enrique may wish to employ. We could roll the dice and gamble, but who’s to say that Fàbregas couldn’t be the quintessential midfielder in Lucho’s philosophy? That in itself – the hesitancy, the reluctance to go to market with an impending transfer ban – it’s a gamble as well.
Either way, Barcelona might get lucky, or they might shoot themselves in the foot –que sera sera; I for one, am opting to remain indifferent.
