Wenger: Improved Fabregas Recalls Platini

• Times Online, Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:30 PM

The English Premier League season is little more than a month old, but Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is already looking a good bet for PFA Player of the Year. Yes, it's extremely early days, but Fabregas has already beaten his goals tally from last year, scoring five times in all competitions in just seven appearances, while notching four assists. He's scored impressive goals, too: the kind of finishing-from-distance Arsene Wenger's men have sorely lacked in recent seasons.

Indeed, the Spaniard's play has been so impressive Wenger recently compared him to the great Juventus midfielder, and current UEFA president, Michel Platini. "His vision is comparable to Platini," Wenger said ahead of Arsenal's intriguing Champions League opener at home against Sevilla on Wednesday night. "It is a compliment. He is at the start of his career, and we know that Platini has made his career."

Afterwards, the Frenchman urged caution over "what was intended as the ultimate compliment,"as the Times says, pointing out that the 20- year-old Fabregas has only won the FA Cup, while Platini was a three- time European Player of the Year, and winner of the European Cup, European Championship and two Serie A titles. In that regard, Fabregas has a long way to go and a lot to prove, but the maturity he's shown for such a young man and his ability to spot the killer pass certainly recall Platini during his best years. Of course, the major difference is Platini's ability to score crucial goals, although Cesc has already shown massive improvement in that department.

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