Cesc Fabregas is overrated

This summer there was much talk of Cesc Fabregas moving to Barcelona as the summer's big money move. The Arsenal 'star' was being valued at around 50-60 million, with Barcelona deeming him worth about half of the sum. Arsenal fans constantly claim that Fabregas is one of the best players in the world, however I disagree with this. Instead, I would argue that the midfielder is vastly overrated, and although clearly talented and the core of the Arsenal side, nowhere near the level of quality that people deem him to be. This weekend, in a good performance from Fabregas, his immaturity as a player was shown, handballing Van Der Vaart's freekick and giving Spurs the chance to get the equaliser with the penalty, which they did. This wasn't an unlucky handball, Fabregas lifted his arm above his head inside the box, aswell as seemingly lifting his teammates' arm, Chamakh, aswell. Watch here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djaYFGrmOAU
For a player apparently so 'talented', 'gifted' and 'mature' this act of stupidity would go on to, in my opinion, be a huge blow to Arsenal. Would Spurs have come back without the penalty decision?
Fabregas shines in a midfield of average players, and although he is the core of the Arsenal team, I would argue those surrounding him only make him look better - players like Song, Rosicky, Arshavin.  In the Spain team, players like Xavi Alonso, Iniesta and Xavi keep him out of the starting line up. Fabregas barely featured in the 2010 World Cup, and I reject claims that his pass to Iniesta for the winning goal was as crucial as some will make it out to be - the pass was simple, and would have been made by any of the other 3 players stated. With 2 of the 3 named players also playing for Barcelona, one also wonders if Fabregas would even make the starting XI for Barcelona? Unlike Xavi, Iniesta and Alonso, Fabregas is an incomplete midfielder with the defensive side to his game well below par.

For such a 'great' player, one must also look at Fabregas' achievements up until this point. Although one will argue he is a World Cup winner,  would people seriously think that Torres can put the World Cup down as one of his great achievments? With an equally limited, if not less influence over Spain's progression in the World Cup, I would like to put that aside. With del Bosque preferring a starting midfield of Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Pedro and Iniesta, Fabregas didn't start one game at the World Cup and therefore whilst his part must be taken into consideration, it shouldn't be overstated. In domestic football, Fabregas is yet to win a Premier League Title, and his medals consist of one F.A cup, and one Charity Shield victory - hardly the trophy cabinet of great players such as Ronaldo and Messi - both Champions League Winners, and key parts of numerous winning teams in their domestic cups.

I am not saying Fabregas is not a great player, he is and has a great future most probably, but Arsenal fans and the press do exaggeratte how good a player he is - apparently he will win the Ballon D'or several times in his career? I'm still waiting and so is the rest of the world. Fabregas doesn't compare to previous winners. If Arsenal get 50-60 million for him, one will have to take your hat off to Arsene Wenger for a piece of genius in the transfer market, because he isn't worth it.

Bring on the backlash of upset, naiive, in denial Arsenal fans...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_CTBfQOkDQ

Written by Will Davies