The term 'world class' is an often over-used phrase - but not for Arsenal's jewel in the crown Cesc Fabregas. At the age of 20 he has already racked up over 150 first-team appearances and nearly 20 international caps for Spain.

But it's not these stats that make this boy special. It's the fact that he is the hub of Arsene Wenger's exciting new Arsenal. To have so much responsibility at such a tender age is tantamount to the faith that Wenger has in his young star.

It is plain to see that the new team is built around the young maestro's talent. His passing and vision are second to none and now, to add to these natural gifts, he is scoring goals. I cannot give Cesc any bigger compliment than to say that he is Arsenal's most gifted midfielder since the days of the original 'prince of Highbury' Liam Brady. He shows much of Brady's genius in his technique and vision; thrown in with a sprinkling of Michel Platini and a touch of Guardiola you have Fabregas. It has taken 25 years to find the new Brady but he is here now in the shape of a young Catalan stolen from under Barcelona's nose.

'If you add together Hoddle's right foot, Brady's left foot, Platini's poise, Zico's flair and Dennis Bergkamp's brain, you would get Cesc Fabregas'


Cesc is nowhere near his peak so the question is how good could he be? In my opinion he will become the best central midfielder in the world within the next 12 to 18 months. Like Brady, he is an artist. He sees pictures on a football pitch that other players just don't and this is what makes the boy so special.

He is not like the modern-day central midfielder. He's not an athlete who is all about power and speed. He isn't tall and strong like, for instance, Patrick Vieira. He doesn't base his game around lung-bursting runs like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Cesc is a throwback to an era of graceful ball-playing midfielders such as Platini, Zico, Brady, Ray Wilkins and Glenn Hoddle.

He is not the best mover around the pitch, even though that is getting better as he gets stronger. But he makes up for all of this with his control, poise, technique and, most of all, his superb football brain. He is able to see the picture, then paint it and finally finish it - and only a handful of special players have this gift.

If you add together Hoddle's right foot, Brady's left foot, Platini's poise, Zico's flair and Dennis Bergkamp's brain you would get Cesc Fabregas. An all-time great in waiting?

Is Fabregas now the best player in the Premier League? Post your comments below or submit an articlle to Sportingo.