Madrid are now rumored to have put in a £ 13.5m offer for Arjen Robben. Robben’s agent, also his father, has acknowledged the offer and stated that he believes his son is interested (how could he not be interested in Madrid?). I do not like this news.
Robben is one of my favorite Chelsea players. Although we’ve picked up Malouda, who would be considered an ideal replacement, I can’t think of anything more exciting than to watch both of them play together in a blue shirt. I will be quite sad if he does end up leaving.
Oh well. Perhaps this will allow us to play Essien on the right, in the formation I suggested earlier? That wouldn’t be so bad. He is perhaps the best jack-of-all-trades currently playing in the EPL. Powerful, determined, clever, quick, aggressive, and a true team player. When I watch him play for Ghana I can’t help but wish that he could somehow be fit into a central midfield role.
But perhaps he would be better than Mikel at playing defensive-mid in the diamond? I wonder…
I wonder what Jose’s appraisal is?
One thing is certain: I’m delighted that we’ve got the option.
Essien is definitely the type of player who can really grab the game by the scruff of the neck and drive Chelsea forward. Most all of the great teams of the past few years have had this type of player: Keane for Manchester United, Gattuso for Milan, and Vieira for Arsenal, just to name a few.
Here’s to hoping that Arjen stays with us, and that Essien is put in a position to shine like he so obviously should.
