My brother told to me two years ago that Robben was going to be the new mega superstar of Dutch football second only to Cruijff and I didn't believe him then, but now I'm starting to wonder. Could he be? He's basically got everything (except for a right foot but that didn't bother Maradona either).
It seems like you have a very good point, we did not see a great deal of Robben's brilliance in Euro 2004, however since his injury he seems to have set the premiership alight. I feel it is quite difficult to compare him to cruyff in the sence that the game is so different know than it was 30 years ago, however I feel in terms of the impact he can have on the game as he grows and develops can be likened to that of the dutch legend. They are in many ways very similar players with their craft and skill, with the inept ability to beat players and beat them well, also it is nice to see that he can score goals as well, which would give an option to play him upfront if needed. I am quite excited about the prospect of Robben - in addition to some of the young players we have coming through,- playing on the big stage. I'm particularily relishing the World Cup 2006 as I feel we have a good chance of doing well.
I believe it's too early to say so. Robben is an extremely talented player but to state he might be Cruijff-quality is something you can only see after his active football career. The impact Cruijff has had on Ajax, Barcelona and Feyenoord is huge and can hardly be imitated IMO. In the past the same thing has been said about Van Basten, Seedorf and Kluivert but none was to be as good as Cruijff (although Marco came close). Let's just wait another 10 years, I'd say.
I would like to thank Robben for taking the time out of his busy schedule to comment on how Beckham & Ronaldo are not welcome in the Chelsea team. Coming from his vast footballing experience, this is good locker room motivational materiel.
It's not like he's only played good football in a Chelsea shirt is it. In Holland we've known about his talent for two years now.
Robben hasn't even had half the impact Ronaldo and (moreso) Romario had in Holland. He doesn't even dislike haring or appelmoes like both of them. (or did Ronaldo actually like appelmoes when Vermegen let him try it? He might just have)
He looks like a boerenkool met worst type of bloke! I'm just making the point that Robben didn't develop from an average to a great player all of a sudden just because he went to the premiership. He's always been excellent, and excellent performance in the Dutch league does often promise great things. Mr. Abramovic isn't shopping around for players in Holland all the time for nothing!
My guess is that Romario and Ronaldo were more paaling types... anyway, out here in London it seems as though the focus is more on Mourinho, Lampard and Terry than Robben... he's there, yes, but isnt the center of media attention. And by the way, I wonder if Kezman is kicking himself for moving to Chelsea. Doesn't seem to be getting very much out of it!
Boy, it sure would be if Chelsea was playing in La Liga. Real has to qualify for the knockout stages of the CL for it to even potentially matter. Oh, and no, we don't really need Beckham or Ronaldo. Thanks though.
I agree that Robben does have a potential. Although it is too early to compare with Cruiff, he surely have a chance to grow into a superstar. One thing I doubt is, he plays left wing not in FW or attacking-midfield.
This has been discussed before but I'll say it again: wingers to the Dutch and in the Dutch system are forwards, not midfielders.
Re: EPL Player of the Month And celebrated with yet another classy goal.... if he keeps this up he could turn out to be the real deal
make that four years........at least when it comes down to us Groningen fans. Of course the general public and the mainstream media didnt recognize it immediately. Not very surprising of course, footie journalist tend to reach down their pants whenever a certain youth player from Feyenoord or Ajax has managed to kick a ball straight for 5 yards.. But when a certain talent emerges at another club, it's: "only a talent from <insert a non-top3 club here>"
Too true. I still remember how the media were gobsmacked that a premiership club would even want Collins John (Collins who?). While that same Collins John had been topscorer in the Dutch youth leagues since he was 14. I also remember Collins scoring a beautiful hatrick in his second or third Twente game at the age of barely 17 - they hardly even bloody mentioned it on Studio Ajax! If he'd been an Ajax player we all know what would have happened.
White-Green Any other Dutch hotshots coming through Groningen that we should be watching for? Or any other of the smaller clubs?