Onion Bag: Fabregas to Barcelona, Keane to LA Galaxy, Aguero to Premier League Superstardom

Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona’s academy at 16. He was a fixture in the first team from 17 onward, becoming the most creative passing midfielder in the Premier League. He amassed 48 goals and 89 assists over his final five seasons, despite missing significant time due to injury. He became emblematic of Arsenal’s brilliant style of play and its six seasons of trophy-less disappointment. He also, of course, played on Spain’s Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup-winning teams.

This is a solid move for Barcelona. Fabregas can slot into the system seamlessly. He gives them the depth to rest Xavi and Iniesta and an eventual replacement for him. The problem for him is that he will face the same logjam for playing time he does for Spain. The result, for him, will probably be the same in key matches, him on the bench.

For Arsenal, it was inevitable, but, nonetheless a disaster, The Gunners looked toothless without his creativity, trying to break down Newcastle in a 0-0 draw. With Fabregas and his presumed replacement Samir Nasri leaving, Arsenal need considerable reinvestment to even consider retaining fourth place.

Fabregas will “carry Arsenal fans in his heart.” Arsenal fans will carry the memory of their captain forcing a move away during a time of crisis and accepting a pay cut to sit on Barcelona’s bench.

Keane was a highly touted young player, after featuring for Ireland’s U-18 team that won the European Championship in 1998. The 31-year-old has had a nomadic career, playing for eight clubs and moving in the midseason window five times. He’s best known for his six-year stretch from 2002 to 2008 where he scored 107 goals in 254 appearances for Tottenham. His top-level career petered out after moving to Liverpool for $30m in 2008 and being sold back to Spurs halfway through the season at a loss.

The Irishman has top-level skill, but it’s tempered by his freneticism and his absence of tactical discipline. He was always a bit too good for a mediocre club and not quite effective enough for an elite one. His game is predicated on his speed and work rate and he has, subsequently, declined with age.

However, MLS is a league where the ghost of Thierry Henry is top scorer and Juan Pablo Angel, a far more pedestrian player in the EPL, led in scoring for three seasons. An attacking MLS team should suit his game. Expect Keane to score goals, be fun to watch and be a potentially decisive player for an already strong Galaxy squad.

Carlos Who? Premier League contenders had an underwhelming weekend. Chelsea and Arsenal drew 0-0 to Stoke and Newcastle. Liverpool let a lead slip against Sunderland. Man United needed a late goal to get past West Brom. The one exception was Manchester City who throttled an overmatched Swansea 4-0. Sergio Aguero wasted no time adjusting to the Premier League pace. He came on for the final thirty minutes scored twice and set up David Silva’s goal with a ridiculous assist. No one in England will realize he’s been doing this in Spain for like six years.

[Photos via Getty]