Lionel Messi happy at Barcelona says Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas believes his former Barcelona team-mate
Lionel Messi will not leave the Spanish club.
The Blues have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old after
claims he has fallen out with coach Luis Enrique. But Fabregas, who is
close friends with the Argentina skipper, is unhappy with media
speculation that he is trying to convince Messi to join the Blues.
"Messi is happy at Barca and they are happy with him," said the
27-year-old Spain midfielder. He added: "I'm upset they say that I could
be mediating for Messi to come to Chelsea. How can I be talking about
contracts? I'm only a footballer."
Barcelona record goalscorer Messi has spent his entire career at the
Nou Camp, winning a host of team and individual honours since making his
debut in 2004. It has been suggested he might leave the Catalan club
following reports of a training-ground row with Enrique, who took over
last summer. However, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists
Messi will remain at Barca until at least the end of his contract in
2018. "Messi will do what makes him happiest," added Fabregas, speaking
to Spanish radio programme Al Primer Toque on Onda Cero. "Personally, as
his friend, colleague and footballer, if you gave me the chance to play
with him again, I would welcome it. "I don't know Luis Enrique.
I do know Leo and I doubt very much that what is being said is
happening, because he's a very relaxed guy and I've never seen any of
that in the three years we spent together."
Meanwhile, Chelsea assistant manager Steve Holland believes no club
in the world could afford to sign Messi.
"This club conforms to Financial Fair Play and when you look at the
numbers I'd have thought it's an impossible deal for any club to work
within Financial Fair Play," said Holland in a news conference on
Friday.
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