When Fabregas left Barcelona for Arsenal at 16, in 2003, there were some who felt the Spaniard may not have the physical frame to be a success in the Premier League. How wrong they were. The creative maestro had to bide his time for a short while at Arsenal while the likes of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva bossed midfield battles week in, week out, but when his chance finally arose he was sublime. He made 46 appearances in the 2004/05 campaign, and his brilliance on the ball and winning mentality made it clear that he was a special talent. He quickly became one of the most important players at the club, despite barely being out of his teens, and at the age of just 21 he was named the Gunners' new captain by Arsene Wenger. He continued to blossom as every year went by, and he became one of the Premier League's finest players up until his departure back to Barcelona in 2011. Although his time at Camp Nou didn't go particularly well, he has returned to England, with Chelsea, where he has got off to a fabulous start under Jose Mourinho. Now 27, the Spain international is in his prime, and should be for the next four or five years. Don't be surprised to see him higher up on this list in a few years time.
