Player Profile: Arjen Robben
The Dutch teams have always had players with a lot of skill and talent. This year their team boasts the likes of Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Robin Van Persie, to name a few. Having won all of their first two games, the Dutch have already secured a place in the next round, which shows what a strong team they are but they have done so, largely, without arguably their best player i.e. Arjen Robben. Robben was injured before the world cup started and missed the first and second game. In the third he came on as a sub and helped create a goal for Klas-Jan Huntelaar.
The 26 year old Bayern Munich player has had an excellent season with his club, winning the Bundesliga crown and the German Cup, as well as helping his team reach the final of the Champions league. This was his first season with the German club and he settled into the team remarkably well, scoring twice on his debut. During the course of the season he went on to completely outshine the French star Franc Ribery.
Robben started off his career in his native Netherlands for Groningen where his impressive performances earned him a move to PSV Eindhoven after two years. He ended his first season at his new club with an Eredivisie medal and the title of Young Player of the year. He moved again in 2004 to the English team Chelsea.
The move was both a blessing and a curse as he won two Premier League titles, a Carling Cup and performed admirably in the Champions league but improved performances came at a cost. Robben’s playing styles involves dribbling at very high speeds and his muscles were unable to cope with the demands of the very physical Premier League. Whenever he played though, the Chelsea fans were treated to something special. His solo runs and amazing finishes became a trademark and Chelsea played some of the best football in their history.
In the 2006 World Cup, the Dutch got off to a flier, as usual with Robben putting in some of his best performances for the national team. He scored once and a number of chances for his teammates, and was instrumental in their progress to the round of 16 where they lost on Penalties to Portugal.
His performances did not go unnoticed and Real Madrid came calling but Chelsea turned it down. In the summer of 2007 though, Real Madrid made another offer, this time of $35 Million which Chelsea accepted. Robben signed a 5 year deal with the Spanish giants. Moving to the biggest club in the world is an honour for any professional footballer and Robben, with extraordinary talent, deserved such a move.
The move, though, didn’t prove as fruitful for Robben as his last move. He struggled with injuries throughout and although he was very impressive when he was playing but Real Madrid ended the domestic campaign losing out to Barcelona and didn’t accomplish anything significant in the Champions league.
In 2009, Robben changed clubs as he was being sold to the German giants Bayern Munich. This move brought out the best from him as he played some of the best football in his career, playing a central part in his teams domestic success and progression to the final of the Champions league where they lost out to Robben’s former manager Jose Mourinho. Robben scored some memorable goals which highlight his talent. In the quarter finals, Robben scored a sensational volley to end the hopes of the English champions at the time, Manchester United.
Before the World Cup Robben was picked out as one of the players to watch but unfortunately injuries have prevented him from making a mark on the tournament. According to reports from the Dutch camp though, Robben is now fit and raring to go. Netherland’s opponents in the next round, Slovakia, will need to be extra careful as one of the world’s most exciting players will be looking to help his team take their game to a whole new level.
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