Robben: I am very happy!

August 22nd, 2007 | By: Jan | 5 Comments »

” I just signed a 5 year contract at Real Madrid and I am extremely happy,” said Arjen Robben at midnight last night. Robben had to wait weeks for this, but finally it happened. The 23 year old former FC Groningen star will be presented today as the biggest signing of this summer. Madrid had to pay 36 Million Euros for the Dutch left winger.

“I am currently driving in London with my dog. I can’t take him now to Madrid, so he’s staying with friends for a while. I need to go first thing to Madrid for the presentation. Isn’t it great: four Dutch players in the shirt of the biggest club in the world? Who could believe that 2 months ago?”, was Robben’s exhalted statement when I spoke to him some hours ago.

Robben: “They want me for the left winger position. It took a long time, I understand the negotiations were tough and when Real signed Drenthe and Sneijder their focus shifted a bit. I just needed to stay relax and trust that the clubs would sort it out. I didn’t put any pressure on Chelsea, no. I only told them I really wanted to move to Real. I will leave Chelsea after three beautiful years. I won’t say fantastic years, because I feel let the club down to many times with my injuries. But Chelsea is the club that believed in me in my first season at PSV, I was 19 years old… Here I got the chance to play amongst the best of Europe and I will be grateful for that always.”

Robben played three years at Stamford Bridge and was signed by former Chelsea manafer Ranieri. Robben won two English titles with Chelsea aand the FA Cup last May.

Robben never made it to the CL finals. Last season, Dirk Kuyt’s Liverpool was too strong in the semis. In the deciding penalty series, the half fit Robben took one and missed.

In the next few days Real Madrid will assess whether the new number 11 will be fit to start against Atletico Madrid. Drenthe, Sneijder and Van Nistelrooy will start on Sunday against the rivals.

Note: Argentine left defender Gabriel Heinze signed for Real Madrid as well. The Manchester player sensed his days as a starter in Ferguson’s vision were over and flirted with Liverpool before joining Madrid to fill Roberto Carlos’ shoes…

Tags: Arjen Robben, The Netherlands, Wesley Sneijder

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Comments

By richard | August 22nd, 2007 at 7:50 pm

I’m sure Robben is happy: I’d be happy too if I got a massive contract and only worked one third of the time because of various nicks. I do wish him well, but it’s hard to get excited about a player who’s never on the field! I’m sure he’ll be great for a game or two in Madrid, before the first twinge in his ankle or hammmy!

By Miguel Rosado | August 23rd, 2007 at 9:54 am

At least he has been there for Holland at major tournaments (EC 2004 and WC 2006).

But I guess you are right, if Robben is to succeed with Real Madrid he has to stop getting injured that often because in Madrid they are not so patient as they were at Chelsea.

4 Dutch players with Madrid, let’s show the world who’s the best hahaha.

By goose | August 23rd, 2007 at 3:31 pm

yes, im sorry but Real is my new fav. team in Spain (sorry Cruijff, Rijkaard, vanGaal, ferenc, davids etc.etc.), if Barca ever gets 4 dutchmen ill be on their side again! haha

agree with Miquel, for all the critic we can have when it comes to Robben (diving, whining, injury prone) think we all have to agree that he stands his ground on big ocassions

would be quit painful for Chelsea if he would make it one whole season now… when he played regularly in his first year he was one of the guys that made them champ.

lets see how he handles himself in a competition were hes just one of many divers…well his dives even improve?? hahaha

grtz

Posted from Netherlands

By Jan | August 23rd, 2007 at 5:27 pm

Real knows what they’re getting with Robben (other than with Drenthe). Robben has a high profile and Real must have calculated his sensitivities. Statisctics ahow that Chelsea with Robben was much more successful than without.
The man can play football, despite of all his “faults”. In between quotes because: it’s not always diving. I remember vividly how he deserved a penalty against Portugal on the EC 06 and was given a card. And the injuries…maybe he is a bit fragile. Can you imagine the kicks he must receive? Was San Marco a faker? He had to suffer quite some injuries…

Posted from Australia

By ferenc | August 24th, 2007 at 8:56 am

to be honest: real against sevilla wasn’t promising at all (except drenthe’s goal). real’s problem won’t be winning the title but to get the second place - sevilla,valencia and atletico seem very-very strong this season and their preparation was better. (sevilla is a fantastic team. btw: is boulah in their starting 11?) real has only started the building of the new team in mid july,beginning of august. it will have its effect on their season. they have 8 new boys and only sneijder and drenthe are good signings. maybe robben,but he’s always injured…

but: la liga fits better to robben than the premier league. defenders are not so brutal, players are more skilled and the referees accept more the divings. anyway i hope he will evolve in spain.

i follow every year la liga,this is my favourite championship,so i’m impatient…

Posted from Hungary