Cesc Fabregas' return to Barcelona for 29 million euros (plus 5 million in variables) in the summer of 2011 capped one of the longest transfer sagas I can remember after decades of following the Blaugrana.

His highly anticipated return was received positively by the Camp Nou fans but many wondered where he would fit in our formation, especially considering that Barcelona had won the Champions League the previous season with a consistent 3-man midfield regularly formed by Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Instead of simply playing Busquets as a more defensive-minded midfielder and choosing two out of the Xavi-Iniesta-Cesc trio depending on match fitness, Guardiola opted for a 3-4-3 formation that allowed the former Arsenal captain to flow within the lines, connect with Messi at ease and score many crucial goals in the process.

However, the return to Johan Cruyff's classic formation wasn't always as effective as we would have hoped for and judging by last season's failure to retain La Liga or Champions League, we can safely say Pep's decision backfired and ended up confusing and unsettling our squad, including Cesc himself.

Cesc Fabregas explained before the current season started: "I never really got to grips with the system under Pep Guardiola. I had been playing another style of football and to take on board so much so quickly was difficult. Some people commented that I lacked something last season, including Guardiola. It was my fault really because I tried to be what I am not; I'm not Xavi, Iniesta, or Thiago".

Despite the fact that Fabregas scored 15 goals and racked up 20 assists in 49 appearances for Barcelona last season, the truth is that his playing level dropped dramatically halfway through the year after a tremendous start. While we could speculate about what the reasons for such change may be, the fact is that the constant formation changes definitely didn't help.

Looking at the Barcelona matches so far since Tito Vilanova took over, we can clearly see our new coach has decided to stick to the basics that made Guardiola's era so successful, including the 4-3-3 formation with Messi as the main attack reference as a "False 9."

With the best player to ever play the game of football filling the position in which Cesc played for Spain during the Euro 2012 championships, Tito has decided to use him as an interior midfielder. Unfortunately for Fabregas, he will not be preferred over Xavi or Iniesta for the truly important games unless he can add an extra different dimension to the team that the 2 legendary maestros can't already provide. A difficult task considering their pedigree, undeniable quality and vast experience in those high-pressure situations.

Judging by his performances so far, Fabregas keeps focusing on keeping position and making sure he does the right thing according to Vilanova's instructions, which ultimately helps the team as a whole but makes his own individual game far less attractive (though much more effective).

Cesc Fabregas now has a clear dilemma.

On the one hand, he can listen to the manager's instructions and hope Tito finds a space for him within the team. (All of it based on his intelligence, ability to keep the ball under pressure and an improved defensive intensity when not in possession.) On the other, he could follow his innate anarchic instincts, think outside the box and create the unexpected -- such actions may bring him goals and individual glory but ultimately break the delicate attack- defense balance within the Barcelona formation.

Said Fabregas himself: "There's no such thing as a great substitute in the world of football. I always wish my team-mates well and put a happy face on but everybody likes to play every minute of the season. I came to Barcelona to compete, to learn and enjoy, not to sit wracking my brains. I will keep going, looking forward to the time that things change. The manager knows what I can offer."

The Catalan player is obviously focused on improving -- such is his determination to be a key Blaugrana player -- and would definitely welcome any minor formation changes that the coach may introduce in order to accommodate him. As a result, Tito Vilanova now has the difficult challenge of finding a way to get the best out of him by ensuring the player can mix his anarchic self with an acceptable degree of defensive discipline.

All Cules can do for now is hope Cesc finds his place within the team and starts fulfilling our high expectations soon -- I would be delighted to see "The Fab #4" succeed at the Camp Nou.

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