It is widely acknowledged that if you want to be ‘the man’ and take the belt off the champion, you’ve got to knock them out - grinding out a points victory just won’t be enough to impress the judges and get you the decision.
Using that criterion, there can be no arguments that Manchester United is still ‘the man’ then after their epic clash with Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners though showed that they are worthy challengers. They also demonstrated that they have a granite chin as they climbed off the canvas twice to bloody the nose of the current champions in a pulsating two-two draw.
Staying with the boxing analogy, this match was dominated by the current two best European players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas. There is no doubt in my mind that this rivalry has all the potential to be one of the best English or world football for that matter has ever seen - it’s Ali-Frazier, Tyson-Holyfield…and with luck we’ll witness their battles for many more seasons to come.
One doesn’t like to boil down an epic match between two players because as the LA Galaxy have found out it’s not about one player but it is hard to look beyond the current players & writer’s player of the year against his apparent heir in waiting.
Looking back at the ninety minutes from North London, Fabregas was the guv’nor when it came to running the show. If United could’ve stopped him perhaps they would’ve left with the three points but they couldn’t. Ronaldo on the other hand was largely anonymous and yet still had a massive say in the result with a goal and assist.
So just who is the best player from the Iberian Peninsula - let’s look at the tale of the tape.
Cesc Fabregas Cristiano Ronaldo Age: 20 Age: 22 Fee: $0 Fee: $24 million Premiership Apps: 99 Premiership Apps: 103 All Competitions: 141 All Competitions: 153 Goals: 13 Goals: 57 Goals this season: 10 Goals this season: 7 International Apps: 2 International Apps: 36
That’s the raw data but what of the intangibles…
Flair & Skill (Ronaldo)
Unless you live on Mars this category would have to go to the Portuguese flyer. Ronaldo has more tricks than David Copperfield and isn’t shy about demonstrating them.
Consistency (Fabregas)
The Spaniard brings it every single game. For sure he’s more involved in the center of the park but you hardly ever see him having an off game.
Goal Scoring (Ronaldo)
Fabregas is in the richest scoring vein of his career but he doesn’t hold a candle to Ronaldo who has the full locker.
Toughness (Ronaldo)
Both players are incredibly durable however I feel that Ronaldo takes more of a beating while Fabregas is in the habit of dealing out the pain.
Discipline (Fabregas)
Over the course of their careers, Ronaldo has seen red three times to one by Fabregas. The Arsenal player definitely picks up more yellow cards but Ronaldo is the more hot headed and has actually missed more games through suspension than his rival.
Versatility (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo can play anywhere across the front line, tuck in behind the strikers or create from midfield. Fabregas is more limited and specializes in his midfield role.
Determination (Fabregas)
A very hard category to judge as both players are warriors however the Gunner has demonstrated an unquenchable thirst over the last couple of campaigns.
Leadership (Fabregas)
Fabregas will lead Arsenal for years to come and his teammates will run through a brick wall for him. Ronaldo tends to disappear at times and you can’t have that from you focal and vocal point.
International Appeal (Ronaldo)
You only had to be in Germany and see girls swooning everywhere that the Red Devil heartthrob would have no trouble picking up a modeling career once he can’t play football anymore.
Value (Ronaldo)
In 2001 Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid for a staggering $94 million. Is Ronaldo worth that much…not yet but I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson would want in the $60-70 million range for his superstar. Arsene Wenger would probably want the same kind of fee for his protégé however until Fabregas scores goals on a more consistent basis, Ronaldo, will command the bigger money.
It’s almost to close to call isn’t. On current form if I was going to build a team around either one, I would have to pick Fabregas. Just look at the supporting cast the Spaniard has at the Emirates compared to the riches that surround Ronaldo at Old Trafford but if I had a must win game to play then Ronaldo would get the nod. Either way this a rivalry that hasn’t even matured yet and it’s impossible to take your eyes from it.
Two different players. Ronaldo is really a winger/striker and they are usually worth the most.
Really hard to compare the positions they play.
Don't know how you could say Ronaldo is tougher than Cesc. Fabregas is one tough little SOB, he surprised me how tough a tackler he is and how tough on the ball he is.
While I agree with most of your points, I'll have to disagree with that whole "toughness" point. I don't think Ronaldo is a tougher player than Cesc. That kid can dish it out as well as he can take it. Remanence of a certain Vieira. Another point you didn't mantion is Ronaldo's knock for diving, falling, and losing his footing way too easily for a player with his footwork, balance, and agility.
Webster, never thought I'd say that you are the level headed one on FFF. That AH Steven Cohen (out of respect I abbreviated, I am still a fan) really lost the plot last night. 2 draws to ManUre and at Liverpool and now Arsenal are shiite and they will never win anything, what an ####. At least you didn't do a full 720 and pick Arse to fall out of the top 4 again.
That AH Steven Cohen is a closet Tottenham supporter 2 or 3 years ago he told the story when he was a boy in London growing up a Hot Spurm fan as his father, tell him to just admit it and move on.
Nick, great discussion of Fabregas and Ronaldo. It is hard to say who is better. I agree that if one would build a team around one of them it should be Fabregas largely due to the position he plays on the field.
It seems to me that the biggest issue facing football lately revolves around the attacks on Wenger's reliance on foreign players and what this does or does not do to English football. I wonder why this issue comes up whenever Arsenal are doing well? This did not come up last year as much? Ferguson, Platini and Coppell complain but I do not see how this hurts English football if many English players do play competitively on a high level and come from the ranks of other sides in the Premiership.
Cohen DESPISES Arsenal... just cant stand them. He's been chided on this in the past, and he visibly struggles to say a kind word and you can see he is holding himself back from saying some really diabolical things about Arsenal.
I like Steven as well, but he is a tad about the Arsenal, so don't ever expect him to play nice.
Last edited by MrMoore on November 9th at 5:29 PM.
Using the boxing analogy. if one boxer is giving punches and the other is taking them that makes the one taking the punches tougher? have to also disagree about the toughness issue because it is not like Ronaldo just takes the licks and keeps playing, he cries a bit much! I think what has been left out is footballing intelligence(Fabregas).They are both great players but Fabregas gets the nod based on present form!
Yeh, i have questioned Steve Cohen via email about he biased views on Arsenal and he just does not get it 4 some reason. He jumped off of the liverpool band wagon real quick and is now harping on Man U. Too me it is not really good beacuse commentary such as this representing football on a whole needs to objective, as even as possible! and there is another red head dude that said on the super sunday show that it was all over when Man U beat MIDDLESBROUGH! for they were sure to win the league now! Why does this league even exist and why play? if after ten games every analyst knows who is going to win the blinkin league, ABSURD! please Nick get these people on fox to comment with equity as fox will most definately soon have to be renamed MU TV!
God Bless!
Last edited by ChristianGunner on November 13th at 8:54 AM.
Who will break into the 'B4' and who will avoid the drop. So many questions will be answered over the next nine months because it's back - the greatest show on earth - The Barclays Premier League.
