Name |
Arjen Robben |
Height |
5 ft 11 in |
Naionality |
British |
Date of Birth |
January 23, 1984 |
Place of Birth |
Bedum, Netherlands |
Famous for |
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After the Fifa World Cup 2006, Robben returned to a new look Chelsea squad. With the arrivals of Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole, Chelsea manager José Mourinho has largely shelved the 4-3-3 formation with two wingers that he has used over the past two seasons and instead begun using a 4-1-3-2 formation, with midfielders Frank Lampard and Michael Essien on the flanks instead of specialist wingers like Robben. This saw the Dutch winger have a struggling time to get a position in Chelsea starting lineup at the beginning of the season.
In November 2006, Mourinho started to give Robben more playing opportunities, either as a withdrawn forward, playing off a lone target man, or as a winger, when reverting to the tried and tested 4-3-3. After the absence of Joe Cole due to knee injury,[15] Robben was then recognised as an important player for Chelsea with his ability to bring the ball down the flanks at speed essential in a team not especially endowed with great dribblers. He was named man of the Match on December 23, 2006 against Wigan, a match where he got two assists and the winning goal in.[16] He was then sidelined for a few weeks due to a slight thigh strain.
In January 2007, Robben returned yet again against Wigan and with an assist and a goal to his credit Robben was again named Man of the Match. Robben was inflicted with yet another injury in a match against Liverpool F.C. dated January 20, 2007.[17] Robben made his return in a 3-0 victory against Middlesbrough F.C. in February driving in a shot that took a deflection past Mark Schwarzer for an own goal by Abel Xavier. Robben also came on as a substitute against FC Porto making his presence felt immediately after sending in a cross that led to an equaliser scored by Andriy Shevchenko. Robben came on in the 2nd half of the Carling Cup final and provided the cross for Didier Drogba to head in the winner and he also scored a crucial goal in the 2nd leg of the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League against Porto, which led to Chelsea winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
At the end of March 2007, Robben underwent a knee operation after sustaining a knee injury upon returning from international duty that was expected to rule him out for at least four weeks.[18] However, it was recently announced by the club that Robben had been back to training, despite his not being fully fit and will not miss the rest of the season.[19] Robben made his return in a 2006-07 UEFA Champions League semi final encounter against Liverpool F.C.. Robben played a brief role in the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 19, which Chelsea won. After the final, Robben cleared up speculation on his future at the club in an interview: "I've always said I want to stay. I will be here next season, that's for sure."