Cesc Fabregas reveals top 'surprise' finisher as Wayne Rooney admits watching videos of Arsenal legend
Wayne Rooney studied Cesc Fabregas after watching him thrive alongside Robin Van Persie at Arsenal.
Speaking in the BBC studio in Euro 2024, Gary Lineker Fábregas asked who was the best finisher he has played with excluding Lionel Messi.
The Spaniard, who has worked with top-level forwards such as David Villa, Diego Costa and Thierry Henryrevealed that Van Persie In fact, he was the most lethal in front of goal.
Speaking as an expert on Euro 2024, Fabregas He said: “I have been lucky to play with great players in front of goal.
“But if I had to say one that surprised me the most, and that I saw from a young age, throughout his career it is Robin van Persie.
“I think Robin was more clinical. His overall game was fantastic and in front of goal he could always find something very special. When we were young, hours and hours and hours after training sessions.”
At this point, Lineker turned to rooney and asked him: “You played with him when he went to manchester united and you fell into a role of 10. Is it true that you watched videos of Cesc to see how he played?”
Rooney then responded: “I watched Cesc because he was falling a bit more.
“Cesc and Robin had a very good relationship, so I knew that would be my role at that time, so I watched a lot of clips of you (Fábregas).”
Fabregas asked if watching him play helped him, to which a beaming Rooney said: “Yes, it did!
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“I think I played some passes afterwards, which I was more known for doing so Robin could get the glory.
“So I was on the other side. I was the one helping but, yeah, I watched them a lot.”
While both Fabregas and Rooney played with many world-class stars, there is no denying that Van Persie was among the best when it came to finishing.
The Dutchman became famous in Arsenal where, after a slow start, he scored an extraordinary number of goals, including his final campaign at the Emirates where he scored 37 goals in 48 appearances in 2011/12.
However, after leaving for United, Gunners fans stopped loving Van Persie, but that didn't help quell his goalscoring antics.
In his first year at Old Trafford, he led the Red Devils to Premier League glory by scoring 26 goals – the last time United won the league and Mr Alex FergusonIt is the last year in charge.
Like Fabregas at Arsenal, Rooney established a telepathic connection with Van Persie, which included an iconic goal in which United's record goalscorer singled out the former Netherlands international with a precise pass against Aston Villa before the striker unleashed a spectacular first-time volley to beat the hapless Brad Guzan.
