Cesc senior dismisses gaffe
July 14, 2010
Cesc Fabregas’ father is adamant nothing was meant by his son wearing a Barcelona shirt amid Spain’s World Cup celebrations.
Arsenal captain Fabregas, who joined the Emirates club in 2003, expressed his desire to return to boyhood side Barca at the end of last season.
The Camp Nou outfit have since had a £30million bid rejected by the Gunners, but maintain their pursuit of the 23-year-old midfielder.
Spain internationals Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, who both play for the Primera Division champions, added weight to speculation of a possible move by forcing a Barca jersey on Fabregas upon the squad’s victorious arrival home from South Africa on Monday.
But the player’s father insists nothing should be read into the incident, and promised no offence had been meant towards Arsenal by his son.
Chelsea cool Aguero interest
November 9, 2009
Chelsea have been quoted 45 million euros for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, who scored twice against Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Champions League this week, but may cool their interest due to financial concerns.
Aguero is one of world football’s brightest talents but his price tag could halt Chelsea’s pursuit as a slump in the value of the pound means that a transfer worth £32 million not so long ago is now in excess of £40 million.
Chelsea, as expected, had their transfer window ban lifted on Friday while the Court of Arbitration for Sport addresses the Gael Kakuta case, but that does not automatically mean they will recruit the players they want in January, as they may be forced to pay a premium price.
An agent with inside knowledge of the Chelsea link with Aguero told ESPN Soccernet: “Yes, Chelsea want him but they asked over 45 million euros in the summer, it was a problem then, and Atletico Madrid are not dropping their price so it will be a problem.
“Roman Abramovich has taken a much more hands-on approach now and he is no longer willing to spend silly money on players as he has a much better understanding of the transfer market.
“The player is just 21 and he is very good, but is he that good? So, on balance I would say unless Atletico drop their price considerably, there won’t be a deal.”
Atletico rejected a bid of £35 million from Chelsea in the summer; nearly £8 million short of the Argentina international’s valuation.
But the slightly-built son-in-law to Diego Maradona gave a first-hand indication of his worth to Chelsea boss Ancelotti on Tuesday night when he came off the bench to score twice against the Premier League club, the first with a sublime volley and the second with a curling free-kick.
With their ban lifted for now, Chelsea are expected to strengthen their squad in January, with the loss of players like Didier Drogba and Michael Essien to the African Nations Cup in mind – but they will struggle to sign the top-rated players unless they pay over the odds. Aguero is also ineligible to play in the Champions League for another team until the 2010-11 campaign.
“I know that people were saying they [Chelsea] wanted me during the summer and that there were several teams tracking me but nothing ever came to me and I am happy at Atletico,” Aguero told As this week. “It’s nice that people say I could play in a team like Chelsea, one of the best in the world.
“I like it [Chelsea's interest] and it makes me happy but I am the same person as ever and I think the same as before. I don’t really want to think about any other team. I want to fight with Atletico to the death. I almost feel like I was born here. It’s a club that has given me a lot, pleasure as well as pain, but it’s a place I feel very happy.”
