Zubizarreta regrets Cesc slip

(GSM) – Barcelona’s new sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has expressed his disappointment that Arsenal playmaker Cesc Fabregas slipped through the club’s net as a youngster.

Fabregas, who began his career as a youth player at Barca, left the Catalan side after believing his first-team opportunities would be limited at Camp Nou, opting to sign for the Gunners instead.

After joining Arsene Wenger’s side as a 16-year-old, the Spaniard is now regarded as one of the world’s best midfielders.

Barca have been trying hard this summer to bring Fabregas back to Camp Nou, but they have been unable to agree terms with Arsenal.

Zubizarreta believes Fabregas’ experience in England has made him the player he is today, just as Gerard Pique matured during his Premier League spell at Manchester United.

“The only solution would have been for him not to leave (in the first place),” explained Zubizarreta.

“Pique also went (to England) and then came back to show what a great player he is.

“Cesc is also a great footballer and perhaps the decision he took to go to Arsenal has made him a better player and a better person.”

Zubizarreta has also defended the club’s policy of promoting to the first team from within, stating their record of developing young talent is better than that of other teams.

“Any player from the youth system would like to be at a club like Barcelona, where it seems easy for them to play in the first team – other teams don’t give so many opportunities to homegrown players.”