Totally Extra: Absolutely Fabregas

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

The Athletic FC.

James Richardson (0:09)

Totally Extra, today, absolutely Fabregas. We get some Cesc education on the mulleted teen who was better than Roy Keane, who wore a magic hat, and was one of the greatest passers the Premier League has ever witnessed. Was he Batman, though, in a team that didn't win, and Robin in his teams that did? And how long before he's back in London on the bench? We'll be asking those questions and more in this Totally Extra.

Monday the 28th September, and today's Totally Extra features Adrian Clarke. Hello Adrian. Hello. Michael Cox. Hello Michael.

Michael Cox (0:51)

Hi James.

James Richardson (0:53)

And Liam, and Liam Twomey. Alright Liam.

Liam Twomey (0:56)

Hello James.

James Richardson (0:57)

Hello. Wow. And we're here to talk about Cesc Fabregas. Adrian.

Where does he stand among your pantheon of Arsenal legends?

Adrian Clarke (1:07)

Oh, he's gone for a big one, early doors. Yeah.

Good question. Um, well, he's up there among the greatest midfielders to have worn the badge.

James Richardson (1:18)

Is he the greatest passer Arsenal has ever had?

Adrian Clarke (1:21)

Again, that's a big call. I mean, people talk about Liam Brady, don't they? But I think he's the best I've seen, definitely. I think he's the best all-round central midfielder.

He falls just short for me to Patrick Viera, but he was a very special player. And just to see him as a teenager looks so accomplished, so silky, was an absolute treat, I've got to say.

James Richardson (1:48)

Liam, it's lucky you went to Chelsea so you could actually win something, eh?

Liam Twomey (1:53)

That is the duality of Fabregas' Premier League legacy, isn't it? And I think a lot of his iconic moments are tied up in this youthful prodigy Arsenal era. But yeah, he came to Chelsea to be a winner. That's what they say at Stamford Bridge anyway.

James Richardson (2:11)

Yeah, fair enough. Michael, we did Zidane recently on Totally Extra. And you would mention the fact that for you, what made Zidane great or his kind of USP, whatever, the thing he did better than anybody else was, as you put it, a wayward ball dropping in his general direction, his control.

What did Cesc do better than anyone?

Michael Cox (2:33)

Yeah, I think at one point he was the best passer in the Premier League. And I also just like the fact he was so forward thinking. I think that's what made him different to the other Spanish midfielders at the time. Obviously, he grew up a little bit in Barcelona's academy, but then from 16 onwards was at Arsenal. In fact, even earlier than that. And I think it just made him, you know, he probably gave the ball away more than his Spanish contemporaries in those really successful tournament winning sides. But I think he offered a drive and a directness and a purposefulness that I think sometimes was otherwise lacking from Spain.

James Richardson (3:07)

Producer Charlie's take on Fabregas is that he was Batman for a team that didn't win anything or won a FA Cup, and he was Robin for the teams that did, your Spains and indeed your Barcelona, when he made that, what was supposedly the dream move back. We'll get into all of that, but there is that vague sense, I think, perhaps, with Fabregas, that great as he was, that there was maybe something even better. However, he's certainly embarked on something pretty great right now as a manager. We'll get into all of that. I have got a quiz question for you though, Fabregas related. He is one of only six players from outside the British Isles to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award. One of only six. Can you name the other five?

Five players apart from Cesc outside the British Isles to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award. We'll have the answer at the end, but any names coming to you already?

Adrian Clarke (4:09)

Yeah, I think there's Cristiano.

Michael Cox (4:11)

Yeah, that's the obvious one, I think, isn't it? But I'd have to have a think after that.

James Richardson (4:15)

Cristiano is on the list.

Liam Twomey (4:18)

Given that 23 is the cutoff, isn't it?

Michael Cox (4:21)

Yeah.

Liam Twomey (4:22)

Ed and Hazard?

James Richardson (4:24)

We've got two already. We probably best stop there. We've got three more to find. We'll have the answers at the end. I can reveal, though, that one is from France, one is from Germany, and one is from Australia. A little giveaway there, perhaps. Anyway, before we go any further, let's open up the almanac.

It's the 28th of September. What has this week in Football History brought us?