New Delhi: Johan Cruyff, Dutch football superstar and one of the greatest the world has seen, is a huge fan of Arjen Robben.
"Robben is all set to have a fabulous career. He knows that I expect a lot from him, but I am sure he is going to live up to all my expectations,” he says.
For Robben, such remarks have become almost run-of-the-mill. Hype and expectation have, after all, been constant companions throughout his career, with the 22-year-old merely left to justify his billing as one of world football’s most exciting emerging talents.
Germany 2006 will be Robben’s first FIFA World Cup, and many consider him the ace in the Netherlands’ pack.
In the three-pronged attack preferred by Marco van Basten, he and Ruud van Nistelrooy are adjudged certainties to take up the left and central roles respectively, leaving the likes of Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Roy Makaay to jostle for the remaining slot.
Robben, born in Bedum on 23 January 1984, was not around to see those halcyon days of ‘Total football’ and was little more than a toddler when his current international manager spearheaded a memorable Dutch triumph at the 1988 European Championship.
Robben is known for his excellent ball technique, his game-breaking speed and his precise dribbling skills.
He was the 2000/2001 player of the year for soccer club FC Groningen, the 2002/2003 Talent of the Year for PSV Eindhoven.
He was also the November 2004 player of the month for Chelsea FC in the English Premiere League.
Robben has played in 17 career games for the Dutch National Squad, scoring 6 goals.
The first international experience of Robben's career came in Euro 2004, as the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
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