In my opinion, and this won't be popular, blaming Wenger for Cesc going to Chelsea is lazy. Here's why;
- "By letting him go to Chelsea, we've strengthened our rivals."
No we haven't. When Lampard left them a few weeks ago, they were always going to sign
someone. In my mind, Fabregas is the ideal signing for them. It's not our fault that he signed for them. He was free to choose whoever he wanted.
- "But we could have bought him to stop anyone else having him."
Well, we could, but I'm not really sure we're in a position to do that. Firstly, even if we'd done that, Chelsea would have bought
someone - and they could well have been equal to or better than Cesc. They were going to get stronger no matter what we did. Secondly, I sincerely doubt that we can afford to buy a £30 million player just so no one else will.
- "But we have a £100 million transfer budget!"
Do we? Find me one somewhere or someone that
actually says that.
Places like this don't count.
- "Alright, smartarse, but we have £120 million (or whatever) in cash reserves."
True, but just because we have the money in the bank doesn't mean that we're going to spend that. If you wanted a £1,200 telly and you just happened to have £1,200 in the bank, would you blow it all on the telly? Of course not. Anyway, believe it or not, but we're going to have to comply with FFP. That doesn't go off of cash reserves. It goes off of profit/loss.
Now, I'm not saying that we don't have £100 million to spend. Maybe we do. All I'm saying is that this is a random number that has been created by the newspapers, and no one else. Remember that.
But, let's just assume that we do have that much to spend. I still don't think we could afford to throw £30 million at Cesc just to stop Chelsea having him. By my reckoning, we need a new goalkeeper, right back, defensive midfielder, winger and (at least one) striker. If you think we can do that all with £70 million (which is the arbitrary £100 million - £30 million for Cesc), then you're wrong. We might get the personnel, but we wouldn't get the quality that we all want and that we definitely need.
Remember, transfer deals are funded to account for transfer fees and wages. This ain't Championship Manager, kids.
So, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I honestly don't think that we can afford to buy Cesc just to stop Chelsea having him. If Wenger (and it's a big if) spends whatever money we have available on strengthening the positions that are of a higher priority than that of number 10, then I will be content.
If, however, we let Cesc go to them and don't bring in any quality signings, then Wenger does have a case to answer.
Don't get me wrong; seeing Cesc in a blue shirt isn't like seeing an ex that you're still crazy about with another boyfriend - it's like seeing that ex married with another bloke. It's over. (S)he's never coming back. Ever.
It hurts like f*ck, but we're going to have to get over it. Again, if we have turned him down so that we can prioritise the positions that we need a lot more, then I will be able to get over this much more easily.
