Fabregas to Chelsea - Summer Signing Review #2:

Bold statement: Fabregas was unveiled last week, joining for a fee of £30m from Barcelona

A real shock signing in world football, and a clear statement of intent by London club Chelsea, as they attempt to win their first EPL trophy since the 2009-10 season.

Fabregas may be the last piece of the jigsaw that they need to seal the title, and the hunger for more success is clear to see. 

They announced the £30million pound signing of former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who was previously quoted as saying such things in the media as "If I return to England, it will only be for Arsenal" and "If I join Chelsea, you have permission to kill me."

Well Cesc; consider yourself dead. To Arsenal supporters anyway. A big statement made by Mourinho, to the rest of the league, especially The Gunners who will be questioning the resolve of Wenger, asking why he did not sign him.

Boyhood captain: Fabregas was at Arsenal for 8 years; since he was 16 years old

Barcelona re-signed Fabregas back in 2011, after he was a part of their youth system

This was made clear by Fabregas in an online statement, as he confirmed that Arsenal had snubbed the opportunity to re-sign their former Spanish captain.


This deal has to be one of the most unexpected transfer deals of the summer window, and the 27-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge, with his weekly salary estimated to be around £150,000-a-week. 

This deal hints that Fabregas is set to be a long-term replacement for English midfielder Frank Lampard, who recently left the club having spent over a decade at The Blues, who are eager to show off their new, young talent.

Here is what Fabregas had to say on the deal:

"Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at Barcelona where I enjoyed three wonderful years. It was my childhood club and I will always be proud and honoured that I had a chance to play for such a great team.

I do feel that I have unfinished business in the Premier League and now is the right time for me to return. Yes, everyone knows that Arsenal had the first option to sign me. They decided not to take this option and therefore it wasn't meant to be. I wish them well in the future.

I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice; they match my footballing ambitions with their hunger and desire to win trophies. 

They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can't wait to start playing. 

His qualities and weaknesses:

• A natural-born leader, who can help to motivate his team when they are losing or encourage them to perform better - learning this invaluable skill when he was the captain for Arsenal
• His defensive contribution has improved significantly since he started at Arsenal; tracking back for his team and winning the ball in the centre of midfield
• He was often inconsistent at Barcelona, making too many mistakes
• Good at holding onto the ball and winning set-pieces for his team
• Poor at heading the ball and struggles to win aerial duels for possession
• His through balls and key passes are superb; one of his best qualities as a midfielder
• A firm but accurate passer of the ball, can help to create counter attacks quickly and effectively
• His tackling is not the best and he can often receive cards for late challenges on opponents
• He has adapted his play and can now play at CDM/CM/CAM and as a lone striker at CF

Reviewing the signing itself:

There is no doubt about it, seeing Fabregas back in the Premier League is a good thing for all neutral supporters.

Obviously, his move to Chelsea will have angered Arsenal fans, who expected him to stay loyal to them and not join a rival club, especially on in the same league as The Gunners - but at the end of the day they had the option to sign him and refused based on the fact that they have enough midfielders already and too many could damage the team ethnic and playing style.

One of the best central midfielders in the world, it's a shame that his transfer comes with controversy after the things that he has previously said in the press - but it comes with the territory.

Chelsea arguably don't need him; they already have a lot of midfielders both out on loan and who struggle to get game time. 

Having said that, it will be interesting to see how Fabregas lines up in the team, and we can only wait patiently to see if he will settle in quickly with a team that was previously hating him (as he was at a rival club and flourishing)

As for Arsenal, all eyes will be on their transfer activity this summer as they look to use the FA Cup as a springboard for more success. They have reportedly gained £5.6million as a result of the Fabregas-to-Chelsea deal and it will be intriguing to see who Wenger & Co bring in this summer.

Fabregas, the former Arsenal captain and hero for many. Now at London rivals Chelsea. Who would have thought it? 

Shame? Fabregas and van Persie have gone their separate ways from Arsenal in recent years.