Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has indicated that team-mate Jordi Alba may not be at 100 per cent at the start of the season.
The 23-year-old former Valencia player has expressed his wish to represent Spain at the London Olympic Games after playing a leading role in the national team’s title-winning campaign at Euro 2012.
He has been included in Spain’s preliminary squad for the tournament, and Fabregas thinks that his new team-mate risks suffering more injuries during the season as he may not have enough time to rest before the start of the campaign.
“It is normal that he wants to go,” he is quoted by Mundo Deportivo as saying. “Because of my age, I will not be able to have that experience.
“But at Barca we play between 65 and 70 matches per season and work overload may prove costly.
“It will all depend on your physical strength, and when you are in your early 20s you can certainly withstand it.
“But it would be good to have him with us as quickly as possible.”
Fabregas was then nomcomittal when questioned about which player deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, saying he has ‘four friends involved’ in the race.
“For what they have done in their careers, Xavi and Iker Casillas deserve to win,” he explained.
“For what he did at the Euros, Andres Iniesta should get it. And because he is still the best player in the world, Lionel Messi deserves it.
“Cristiano Ronaldo? He had a great season.”
