Overrated Premier League Players who Have Already Been Exposed This Season

As we enter the second international period of the Premier League season, let us gaze back at what has happened thus far and judge those who haven't quite lived up to the hype thus far.

Some may well point to the early nature of the season, we are after all only seven games in, but in spite of that there are players country wide who have disappointed for one reason or another.

Be it a striker who is struggling to continue to add to a stunning start last term, a goalkeeper who has set himself high standards through his Premiership career, or an import which to some extent shocked the footballing world.

You may well have already figured out the three players who Sports Portal are going to highlight are, but if you haven't let us talk you through our reasons and why they feature.

Papiss Cisse - Newcastle United

One major reason why Newcastle soared to a fifth placed finish in the Premier League last season, was their january acquisition of Papiss Demba Cisse from Bundesliga side Freiburg.

Here his impressive goalscoring record had impressed many around Europe, and he also became the African to have scored the most goals in one season in Germany.

After arriving in the North-East he plundered 13 goals, many of which were wonder strikes, and it seemed he was something of a bargain.

This season has been an eye opener, however, and he has struggled to find the back of the net.

He two goals in the 2012/13 campaign coming in the League Cup against Manchester United, and at home to Bordeaux in the Europa League.

Those connected with the club will point to the young nature of the season, but will secretly be hoping he can net a Premier League goal sooner rather than later,

They will not want a Fernando Torres esque situation from last season happening.

Pepe Reina - Liverpool

For many reasons Pepe Reina may well be a Liverpool legend, after all he has displaced many previous records held at the club.

In December 2005, just a few short months after being recruited by Rafael Benitez, he chalked up 11 successive clean sheets.

In addition to this he recorded 28 shut outs in his first fifty games, surpassing the great Ray Clemence.
 
On top of that for three straight season he triumphed in winning the Premier League Golden Gloves, and performed heroics, albeit after some questionable goalkeeping, in the 2006 FA Cup final.

This season though some rather high profile gaffes have begun to creep in, on an all to frequent basis.

Of course those who stand between the sticks are on a small wire between success and failure, but it is always worrying when these mistakes creep in a little too much.

After last seasons poor showing Liverpool are keen to climb back up the league, and Reina will be hoping he can put in some stellar performances to help with that quest.

Julio Cesar - Queens Park Rangers

A Goalkeeper who arrived at Loftus Road with a big reputation, having enjoyed huge success during a seven year stay at Italian giants Inter Milan.

After joining in 2005 he quickly established himself as number one, overtaking the legendary Francesco Toldo, and set about bringing five Scudetti and a Champions League title to the club amongst other honours.

When Samir Handanovic arrived in the summer, having played nearly 200 times for Udinese, it spelt the end of the Brazlians stay at the San Siro though.

The two time Seria A goalkeeper of the year and 2009 Uefa Club Goalkeeper of the Year set off for England, determined to show his former employers they were wrong to get rid.

However, he has only proved what they perhaps already knew, that he is no longer part of the elite goalkeeping community.

It is harsh to lay the blame at one man for a club being bottom of the league, but his decision making has hardly been exemplary.

If he can improve between the sticks QPR may have a chance, if this slide continues it is difficult to see if they can raise themselves from the abyss.

Transfer flops - Ali Dia

A man whose place in Premier League history is more than secured, but for entirely all the wrong reasons.

Woefully inept, very awkward and above all majorly embarrassing, all this from a man who has a solitary appearance in the top flight that lasted less than the duration of a single half.

The cringe worthy nature of watching Dia on a football pitch can perhaps only be topped by the way Graeme Souness was conned into giving him a contract.

This story has now gone down in infamy, but let's run through it one more time anyhow.

Then Southampton manager Souness received a phone call from someone claiming to be African legend George Weah, who was recommending his cousin to the club.

That cousin was of course Ali Dia, with the Saints gaffer told he had previously played for Paris Saint Germain and Senegal and that a trial could be beneficial for both parties.

One little point that has to made here, Weah is from Liberia and not Senegal.

A risk was taken and a one month contract awarded, with it later being said the players were somewhat bemused by their new team mate on the first day of training.

Expecting him to never don the clubs jersey and take to the field.

Leeds United travelled to The Dell the next day though, and with a raft of injuries Dia was somewhat surprisingly placed on the bench.

When Matt Le Tissier was injured just over midway through the first half, guess who was called upon to replace a Southampton hero.

Dia came on but was so bad he was substituted off later in the game, and after reporting an injury to the club physio never showed up at again.

He did, however, pop up at non-league Gateshead, a level he was perhaps more used to after previously being at Blyth Spartans prior to his Premiership appearance - not Senegal like Souness was told.

If not the best this is one of the best tales in Premier League history, how a man with no experience got a top flight run out for being someones cousin.

You would expect that it still haunts Souness to this day.

Transfer Flops - Afonso Alves

Middlesbrough FC aren't exempt from the odd calamitous transfer, but Afonso Alves must be soaring high above the rest.  The clubs current record transfer spectacularly failed to live up to expectations, before being shipped of to Qatar just a year after joining.

The Brazilian started his carrer at Atletico Mineiro, before making a move to Europe after a handful of appearances and goals.

It wasn't however one of the big leagues that drew his attention, with Alves moving to Sweden and Orgryte.  However he only here a year before making another step up after a successful showing.  After a goal ratio that bettered one in every other game, Malmo FF signed the striker and he spearheaded the club to a League title in his debut season.

Alves lasted one more season before getting on the move once again, this time to Holland where he became Heerenveen's record signing at £3.5m.  It was here that he enjoed most success, plundering over 30 goals in his debut season after netting seven in only his second appearance for the club.

Following two seasons at the Dutch club, and not exempt from controversy, Alves made what he hoped would be a big step towards the big time.  The Premier League beckoned, with Middlesbrough paying over £12m to secure his services.  However his time on teeside soon turned sour, when it became clear he was well on the road to becoming a very expensive mistake.

Alves during his difficult time at Middlesbrough

His solitary season in the Premiership will no doubt be remembered for some time, with his lack of firepower resulting in the club being relegated to the Championship.  Middlesbrough cut their losses, and perhaps did well to recoup over half the fee paid.

Al Saad is where Alves headed this time, lasting only a few months before accepting a loan offer from anthother Qatari club, this time Al Rayyan.

Goals began to flow once more, before a ligament injury late in 2010 sidelined him for some considerable time.  He is however back playing and back amongst the goals.

On the international front Alves received a first international call up in 2007 whilst still plying his trade in Holland, almost scoring against England before his ill fated spell on those shores.  A Copa America win followed but it wasn't long before those appearances in a Brazil shirt soon dried up.

Transfer flops - Jonathan Woodgate

Sports Portal hopes all it's readers had a lovely festive season, and apologises for the lack of posts.  You see, we like to gorge ourselves too.  But we are back and ready to crack on, with another in our transfer flops series.

When Real Madrid decided to splash out on English centre back Jonathan Woodgate, it kick started a chain of events that swayed the fine line between horrendously tragic and outright hilarious.  After possibly the worst debut one could imagine things didn't exactly get better, double figures of appearances was just reached, injuries reared their ugly head and an unwanted award was attained.  However before we delve deeper, let's see how his career went before the big move to La Liga.

After beginning his career at hometown club Middlesbrough, a teenage Woodgate was quickly on the move to Yorkshire and Leeds United in 1996 after disagreements between his family and the club.  Here it took two years to crack into the first team, where it really began to take off.  During his five years at the club he became a mainstay of the defence, being described as the 'jewel in the crown.'  But as the clubs terrible financial predicament came to light Peter Risdale cashed in, much to the dismay of the fans who also saw Terry Venebles follow out of the exit door.

Being paraded by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu

Newcastle United was his next destination, where a series of stunning displays established Woodgate as a firm favourite amongst the Toon Army.  However this is where the start of the problems began, with a serious injury ending his 2003/04 Premier League season early.

This is where the foray onto the continent materialised, with Real Madrid spending over £13m for a player that was injured.  Woodgate spent his entire first season at the Bernabeu sidelined, and had to wait until September 2005 to finally take to the pitch in the resplendent white synonymous of the club.  Though it didn't exactly go to plan, with an own goal followed by a sending off.  After briefly, and I mean briefly, flirting with success it was soon snatched away with another injury.  Since his departure, users of Spanish daily Marca voted him the worst football signing ever with 37.11% going to the Englishman.

It was back home in the truest sense of the word for Woodgate, where a successful year long loan at Middlesbrough was turned into a £7m move ahead of the 2007/08 Premiership season.  During the season though more injury troubles reared their head, with David Wheater taking his place and retaining it, meaning no way back.  Due to this it meant another move was on the cards, this time to White Hart Lane.

Woodgate upon signing for Stoke City

Initially life at Tottenham Hotspur seemed to suit Woodgate, where he settled in and was even handed the captaincy a few months after signing.  But once again injuries took their toll, and his appearances dwindled due to a virtual standstill.  After a lot of persistence Harry Redknapp decided to cut the clubs losses, after the player apparently rejected a pay as you play deal, and he was released.

All was not lost for Woodgate though, and Tony Pulis gave the defender another chance in the Premier League at Stoke City.  This time the pay as you play deal was accepted, and after a stellar start to life at The Brittania Stadium his level of performances have since fallen.  What could possibly happen next in the topsy turvy career of Jonathan Woodgate?

Transfer flops: Florin Raducioiu

You know you've had a bad time of it when a footballer himself describes an ill fated spell at one of his many clubs as a "disaster."  Cue Florin Raducioiu who used those exact words when describing the time he spent plying his trade at West Ham United.  So just how did a Seria A and Champions League winner with AC Milan end up at Upton Park, and what made the spell one to forget.

Raducioiu began his career in his native Romania where he was a product of the Dinamo Bucharest academy, and went on to play for the club for four years after being given his chance at the tender age of just 17.  A four year jaunt in Italy followed this, where he initially joined Bari, before moving on to Verona, Brescia and then Milan.  The trophy haul though doesn't reflect a happy and glistening time at the San Siro, in fact he managed only a handful of games before being shipped off to another country.

It was Espanyol where he found himself this time, but after just two years it was off to Euro 96 in England where a certain Harry Redknapp sat up and took note as he netted his countries only goal of the finals in a 2-1 defeat by Spain.  His time spent in the Premiership didn't exactly go to plan though, with the double figure mark of appearance just being topped and only two league goals to his name.  He will perhaps be remembered for off field controversy, something vehemently denied by the player, when it was alleged he went shopping at Harvey Nichols leaving his side one striker short.  Falling out with your manager is never a good idea, in any walk of life, and it wasn't long before Raducioiu was back off to Barcelona and old club Espanyol.

In the next seven, and final, years of his career, Raducioiu pilled up quite a list of clubs.  After leaving Spain for the second time it was on to Germany and a one year spell with VfB Stuttgart, before heading back to another old club and Brescia.  After two years home comforts lured the right winger/striker to first club Dinamo Bucharest, but it wasn't long before bags were packed once again and he jetted off to pastures new.  This time France was the destination, where Monaco aquired his services for a season, before one final hurrrah came at Creteil-Lusitanos and finally retirement in 2004 which brought an end to an 18 year career.

Radicioiu may have been far from a hit in London, and at many of his club for that matter, but on his jet-set career of Europe he did set an incredible feat.  He is only one of two players, along with Christian Poulsen, to have plied his trade in Europe's big five leagues (England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.)

West Bromwich Albion

Following what was a sticky period early on last season, Roy Hodgson arrived following a tough spell himself and guided the team up the table. After a troubled stint at Liverpool, the former Fulham manager went quite a way to rebuilding a broken reputation. Held in very high regard at the moment by Baggies faithful, he will be targeting last season 11th place as the benchmark this time round.

Goalkeeper

A little while ago you would have quite rightly stated that this could be troublesome, however following the arrival of Ben Foster on loan that is no longer the case. Despite being relegated last season, the Birmingham owned stopper is still held in high regard in the Premiership. Marton Fulop is also another new face, and will provide the back up.

Defence

Despite looking suspect in the early stages of last season, confidence was instilled when a new manager was in place and form started to turn around. Some of the rearguard did impress at the back end of 2010/11, with deputy captain Jonas Olsson a commanding presence, but Hodgson was taken into account some of the earlier failings and added a few more bodies.

Midfield

There's quite a nice mix of fearsome and creative in the middle of the park for The Baggies. Somen Tchoyi and Youssuf Mulumbu can do the tidying up, while players such as captain Chris Brunt and the highly rated Graham Dorrans provide the flair. Zoltan Gera has also returned to add to that, in a move that should also please the fans.

Forwards

Last season's stand out performer Peter Odemwingie now seems almost certain to stay, which is a huge relief to everyone at the club. There are plenty of other strikers at the club, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Simon Cox etc, but it remains to be seen who will be Odemwingie's partner or if rotation will be employed.

Manager

Hodgson could not have done much more to endear himself to the fans last season, and the first target this season will be to put enough points on the board to preserve their Premier League status. Beyond that building on 11th would be a huge achievement.

Areas to Strengthen

Getting in a top quality partner for Odemwingie would be ideal, but isn't exactly going to be massively craved. Building on the quality of the squad overall will be the main aim in the rest of the transfer window.

Expectations

Following the heroics performed by Hodgson in 2010/11, much will be expected this time. However neither gaffer nor fans will not be getting ahead of himself, and consolidation will appease the vast majority.

Odds

2000/1

Players in

Shane Long £6.5m (Reading) Marton Fulop free (Ipswich Town) Gareth McAuley free (Ipswich Town) Billy Jones fee (Preston North End) Zoltan Gera (unattached) Ben Foster loan (Birmingham City)

Players out

Borja Valero undisclosed (Villarreal) Scott Carson £2.1m (Bursaspor) Ishmael Miller £1.2m (Nottingham Forest) Marek Cech undisclosed (Trabzonspor) Pablo Ibanez undisclosed (Birmingham City) Abdoulaye Meite free (Dijon) Gianni Zuiverloon free (Real Mallorca) Giles Barnes free (Doncaster Rovers) Boaz Myhill loan (Birmingham City) Chris Wood loan (Birmingham City) James Hurst loan (Blackpool) Marcus Haber (all released)

Swansea City

The Swans beat arch rivals Cardiff City to become known as the first ever Welsh side to reach the Premier League. After a 3rd place finish last season, it meant the lottery of the play offs sealed their promotion. Under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers their style of play has received plenty of praise, but can they turn it into top flight safety

Goalkeeper

Jose Moreira has been brought in from Benfica to add competition for places, and could be installed as number one right away. This does look like a potentially sticky point for the club, particularly if Swansea's defence buckles under the pressure of top flight football.

Defence

Ashley Williams is very highly thought of, while both captain and vice captain operate in defensive berths. No real big name defender with top heaps of top flight experience has been brought in, so the trust shown could swing from one extreme right through to the exact opposite.

Midfield


With the free flowing football so often on display at The Liberty Stadium, it is clear that a lot of pacy, creative talent will be on show in the middle of the park. Scott Sinclair is the main man of this side, dazzling since his move from Chelsea, but Wayne Routledge should also be their helping out creatively.

Forwards

Clearly identified as one of the weaker points of the side, and Rodgers reacted by signing Danny Graham and Leroy Lita. The latter of which joins fellow strike partner Luke Moore in having genuine Premiership experience, during their time with Reading and Aston Villa respectively.

Manager

Rodgers stock could not really be much higher right now. He delighted the fans by having his team play such a pleasing, easy an the eye brand of football, and he has now led them to the top tier. Safety will be his hardest task yet.

Areas to Strengthen

When you are a new team to the top flight, you can never have enough experience in your ranks. Plus the need for a large squad in emphasised on a regular basis now, and it is this strength in depth that they could perhaps be lacking.

Expectations

With this being new ground, and achieved when it maybe wasn't too expected in the first place, the Swansea faithful won't be getting too ahead of themselves and 17th place would do nicely.

Odds

5000/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Jose Moreira undisclosed (Benfica) Leroy Lita £1.75m (Middlesbrough) Danny Graham £3.5 (Watford) Wayne Routledge £2m (Newcastle United) Michael Vorm £1.5m (Utrecht) Federico Bassone undisclosed (Leeds United) Darnel Situ undisclosed (Lens) Gerhard Tremmel free (Red Bull Salzburg) Steven Caulker loan (Tottenham Hotspur)

Players out

Stuart MacDonald £80,000 (Bournemouth) Darren Pratley free (Bolton Wanderers) Dorus De Vries free (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Albert Serran and Gorka Pintado free (AEK Larnaca) Kerry Morgan free (Neath) Scott Donnelly loan (Wycombe Wanderers) Sam Rose-Miles, Thomas Butler, Jamie Grimes, Cedric Van Der Gun, Charles Kaiser, Jordan Prosser, Matthew Whatley (all released)

Fulham

Following Mark Hughes' decision to leave his post as manager at the end of the season, Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed faced his second summer in a row searching for a new gaffer. This time though, long term target Martin Jol did arrive following his stint in his native Holland with Ajax. An impressive 8th place finish last term puts the pressure on right away, and we all know Al Fayed can have an itchy trigger finger at times.

Goalkeeper

Another solid keeper graces the pitch at Craven Cottage, and rumours of a move seemed to have calmed down this summer following last years intensity. As it now looks like Mark Schwarzer will stay another year at least it isn't too problematic, while a new back up has been brought in already this summer.

Defence

Never really been a problem at the club, and they still have the solid backline that former manager Roy Hodgson breathed so much confidence into. Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos are big imposing centre half's, while they now have flair at the left side with new signing John Arne Riise.

Midfield


Here Fulham could maybe be lacking that bit of quality needed in the centre of park. Captain Danny Murphy has been a terrific servant but he isn't getting any younger, out wide though they are solid. Flair players Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey, one of the Premier League's most underrated, continue to perform fantastically.

Forwards

If as widely expected Andy Johnson moves onto pastures new, another body would be needed up top. Moussa Dembele and Bobby Zamroa, and Dempsey who can in he forward positions, can't carry the burden themselves. It is widely known that a Premiership team needs four solid front men.

Manager

Jol is still very well liked through England, and many fans still aren't impressed with the way he was let go by Spurs. Including many Spurs fans themselves. He has plenty of experience, and could be another little gem at the Cottage.

Areas to Strengthen

Another midfield player of real quality wouldn't go a miss in the side, neither would an added striker. Other than that it could be a matter of adding a little strength in depth.

Expectations

Fulham are another side that due to over performing, expectations have risen. A top half finish will be the least that is expected, and a decent showing in Europe would cheer the faithful up no end.

Odds

2000/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Bryan Ruiz undisclosed (Twente Enschede)Csaba Somogyi free (Rakospalotai) John Arne Riise £2m (Roma) Marcel Gecov £700,000 (Slovan Liberec) Dan Burn undisclosed (Darlington) Pajtim Kasami undisclosed (Palermo) Tom Donegan free (Everton) Orlando Sa free Zdenek Grygera loan (Juventus)

Players out

Jonathan Greening £600,000 (Nottingham Forest) Kagisho Dikgacoi undisclosed (Crystal Palace)  Zoltan Gera, Eddie Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, John Pantsil, Matthew Saunders, Matthew Reece (all released) David Stockdale loan (Ipswich Town) Carlos Salcido loan (Tigres) Keanu Marsh-Brown and Lauri Dalla Valle loan (Dundee United) Rafik Halliche loan (Swansea City)

Aston Villa

The Villains used to have major hopes of cracking what was the infamous 'big four,' under Martin O'Neill they of course came very close to this. But last season was no doubt one of transition, and with major changes this summer it could be very sticky this time round. Last season turned out a bit sour, but despite a controversial switch across the second city Alex McLeish could turn this sleeping giant round with a few shrewd signings.

Goalkeeper

This team have been blessed in this position for years, with Brad Friedel being once of the most consistent for years. However with the signing of Shay Given from Manchester City they have no doubt got one of the Premier League's finest. With a season of bench warming in Manchester though, it remains to be seen if the Irishman can regain top form once again.

Defence

Always a strong point for the side, and despite a few hiccups it was no different last season. Despite the criticisms Richard Dunne seems to have been revitalised in Birmingham, and has dug his side out of many a tough situation and can bag a few too. Carlos Cuellar could be moving on though, and he will need to be replaced before the season starts.

Midfield

With the losses of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing it is of no doubt that this is an area in need of strengthening. Charles N'Zogbia seems to be the man charged with that, but he cant perform miracles alone, despite how promising his talent is and he will need support. Midfield still seems a bit weak for this side, and expect to see McLeish stepping into the market for more troops in this position.

Forwards

On the outset it seems that Aston Villa are fine in this area, but there is a fine line between promising youngster and Premiership striker. Gabriel Agbonlahor is no doubt very talented, but it seems someone more prolific should be signed to partner Darren Bent up top. He can only bang the goals in so long and at some point will slump, all strikers do, it's at that point someone else need to pick up the mantle. And Villa just don't seem to have that at the moment.

Manager

Last season Aston Villa were rocked days before the start of the season, where O'Neill resigned leaving the side in peril. Gerard Houllier was charged with turned the tides, but more health problems followed and the Premier League dream failed to materialise. McLeish could well work wonders, but despite the Carling Cup win last year hasn't performed miracles in the Premiership. With a few good signings though Villa could well have a good year, Randy Lerner will have to loosen the purse strings though.

Areas to Strengthen

Wingers are more importantly creativity is severly lacking in this side, after the much hyped departures of Young and Downing. N'Zogbia seems a certainty, but it could perhaps be asking a little much for him to do it alone. A bit more firepower wouldn't be the worst thing either.

Expectations

After such high expectations over the last few seasons, Villa fans will no doubt be inflated once again. Realistically though, they should be happy if their side manager a solid top half finish. Something which they could no doubt build on next term.

Odds

400/1 (Sky Bet)

Players In

 Shay Given £3.5m (Manchester City) Charles N'Zogbia £9.5 (Wigan Athletic) Alan Hutton undisclosed (Tottenham Hotspur) Jermaine Jenas loan (Tottenham Hotspur)

Players Out

Ashley Young £15m (Manchester United) Stewart Downing £20m (Liverpool), Brad Friedel free (Tottenham Hotspur) Jonathan Hogg and Andreas Weimann undisclosed (Watford) Luke Young undisclosed (Queens Park Rangers) Nigel Reo-Coker John Carew Moustapha Salifou Robert Pires Isaiah Osbourne Harry Forrester Arsenio Halfhuid Durrell Berry Ellis Deeney Calum Flanagan (all released) Jean Makoun loan (Olympiacos)

United victory could have huge consequences

Yesterday's victory for Manchester United over Chelsea could have a big rippling effect on both sides. The Londoners must now be resigned to a season without a single trophy making it's way into the Stamford Bridge cabinet. A scenario that over the last few weeks we have learned won't please big spending owner Roman Abramovich one bit. Carlo Ancelotti could be on his last legs, despite last seasons double, and a summer of huge spending could be on the cards. Despite January's £70m+ spree.

In the northwest however, Manchester United are on the verge of greatness. Barring a huge collapse Sir Alex Ferguson has achieved his goal with a 19th league title, knocking neighbours and rivals Liverpool off that perch. Something Red Devils fans were ecstatic about as the exited Old Trafford following that 2-1 win.

Despite this massive achievement though, the biggest test is still to come. On Saturday May 28th at Wembley they will come up against the side thought to be the best in the world, Barcelona. A team who are just one point away from securing another league title themselves, and a team for whom Lionel Messi hasn't stopped scoring all season long. Pep Guardiola has led the praise for the soon to be English Champions, but knows he faces one hell of a challenge. If they go into the game fearing the Spaniards United will be obliterated, however if they take the game to them and give no space a double can certainly be achieved.

And after becoming the side to win England's top flight the most times what could be next record for Fergie to try and topple. Well adding a fourth European cup would put them one behind Liverpool's record haul. Now that would rub salt into the wounds and would delight Fergie no end. I certainly wouldn't bet against it.

All this needless flirting!

Is there anyone else out what thinks a final decision should be made about the sale of Cesc Fabregas?

I understand some people may point to the fact there has been other transfer sagas that have gone on for longer, think Gareth Barry and Cristiano Ronaldo, but this eclipses them all.

In the other two cases neither player made such a statement to the leave the club, although i know they both stated publicly on a few occasions.

But Fabregas seems to be stating it weekly, with a debatable plea to stay at Arsenal made a few weeks ago seemingly throwing his desires into disarray.

The fact is he has grown up a Barcelona fan, I presume you knew the other club in question, and it is inevitable he will leave to go back to Catalonia.

He is a self confessed fan of the Spanish Champions, constantly wishing them to do well and no doubt deep down wishing he was there himself.

Arsenal's, or Arsene Wenger's, refusal to invest heavily in the transfer market has no doubt sealed his fate.

The years of no success could be too much to handle for the youngster, despite his love of London and the Emirates based side.

It is at times unbelievable to believe that Fabregas is just 23 years of age, after so many years of being the lynchpin in the Gunners side.

But this incessnant flirting needs to come to an end sooner rather than later.

The constant public desires to stay far outnumber the one he made to stay at the club, while the latest debacle at the Spanish World Cup celebrations should be the final nail in the coffin.

'Forced' to don a Barcelona shirt, Liverpool 'keeper Pepe Reina (another ex-Barcelona player) then hailed him "the future of Barcelona".

These fluttering eye lashes aren't just all one way, as Arsenal seem to be kidding themselves into believing.

If sold now it would benefit both sides.

Barcelona would be getting the player they consider one of there own, after growing up in the much lauded Barca academy.

While Arsenal would have plenty of cash to re-invest in a squad that looks some way off the pace.

I know selling the best player would be largely criticised, however look what happened after the sale of Theirry Henry.

If Wenger could work that magic again, while splashing the cash Arsenal could find themselves in with a very real shout of the Premiership title.