| 31.08.2009 |
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| With no apologies to those who may be getting a little tired of our apparent obsession with the uniquely featured Frenchman, our Ribery debate rumbles on like the after-effects of an ill-advised 3am kebab with all the trimmings. This time, however, we have a new character to throw into the mix. Perhaps the oldest looking 25-year old in history, Arjen Robben made his bid for Bayern immortality at the weekend by netting two goals on his debut to help Munich sink champions Wolfsburg. The Dutchman, arriving as the transfer window creaked towards closure, stepped up to make his claim as the Bundesliga's new star with a second-half performance of the kind of attacking instinct Ribery and Co. have been lacking. Far from looking glum (well, glum-er) the former Chelsea flyer looked positively reborn after swapping Real Madrid for 14th place in the German league. And here lies our link to Monsieur Franck. Robben arrived at the Bernabeu in 2007 with a couple of Premiership winners medals, a pair of English league cup medals, and an FA Cup medal after just three seasons with Chelsea. His marauding wing play, electric pace and ability to get in among the goals made his a much sought-after talent. It was only natural then that when he came to move on, one of Europe's biggest clubs was there to snap him up and send him onto the fields of Spain in the colors of Los Blancos. It should have been a dream come true. It wasn't. While he managed to nail down a first team place in Madrid's 2007/8 La Liga-winning team and show flashes of the form he enjoyed in England, injuries and the subsequent arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo et al cut his five-year contract at Madrid short. His move to Real had promised much but delivered much less than expected and he joined Bayern earlier this month for €22 million after being pimped to the cream of European soccer as part of Madrid's transfer fee recuperation operation. Robben's slept-in face had been looking particularly downcast for the last couple of months as Madrid began building a new Galacticos project and he became - very publicly - excess to requirements. By Saturday evening. however, that crumpled visage was creased in happiness as he celebrated not only a debut double but the resurrection of a career. The Santiago Bernabeu could legitimately challenge Man United's stadium as the real Theatre of Dreams but to many established stars it has become the Elephant's Graveyard. The Bundesliga may not have the bling of La Liga or the caché of the Premiership but when top players get there, more often than not they get the chance to play and the chance to shine. Bayern Munich may be behind in brand recognition and may not currently be seen as a force to be reckoned with in European competition but Robben has the potential to make an impact in Bavaria unlike any he could have hoped for in the Spanish capital. Those looking wistfully at pastures new may do well to look at the Dutchman and listen to his story. That means you, Franck. |
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