Robben can lead the Blue revolution

14 April 2012

Chelsea's wingless wonders are finally taking flight. Jose Mourinho's sides often display the width of a particularly narrow pencil but a new, sharper shape is emerging.

Arjen Robben could be the key to his side's transformation from efficient to electrifying. The former PSV Eindhoven midfielder has only just returned from a troublesome ankle injury but is already making a huge impact, scoring his first Chelsea goal against CSKA Moscow in only his second start for the club. As Dennis Bergkamp and Ruud van Nistelrooy sully their reputations through petty indiscipline another Dutch master has arrived to add some rather more palatable colour to the Premiership.

Robben has a reputation for diving but it is what he does when on his feet that quickens the pulse. The 20-year-old was simply sensational last night, displaying a range of movement and quality of touch that is rare to behold, even at this elevated level.

For one so young, Robben possesses a remarkable maturity and not just in terms of his prematurely receding hairl i ne. His pace, movement and lightening-quick feet give Chelsea an added dimension, with even the quick-witted Damien Duff appearing sluggish by comparison. The pair switched flanks with almost dizzying frequency to great effect last night, proving beyond all doubt that two left-footed wingers can play in the same team.

Robben said: "I'm sure we can play in the same team and I've always said that. I feel very strong and am only going to get better. I don't have expectations when I come to a new club and only try to show what I can do and show my qualities. I'm always attacking, trying to pass people and create chances. I try to do my best and that's all I can do."

Robben created several opportunities for himself and others against CKSA, largely due to a first-touch that bordered on the immaculate, but his 24th-minute goal will live longest in the memory. Having received the ball from Eidur Gudjohnsen he fed Duff down the right wing, who immediately returned it with a sumptuous back-flick, making the space for Robben to shoot calmly past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. The side-footed finish was similar to a magnificent goal he scored for PSV against Deportivo La Coruna in last season's Champions League and brought a beaming smile from a usually serious individual.

Robben said: "It was a great goal to score and I finished it quite well. I knew what I was doing and last year in the Champions League I did exactly the same, going one way and shooting in the other corner. I got the ball on the right, saw Damien running into space and he flicked it back to me. I wanted to shoot but saw a defender coming across me so checked and put it in the other corner. It was a great combination with Damien and a good finish."

Having observed his team-mate at close quarters during several seasons at PSV, Mateja Kezman, who replaced Gudjohnsen late in the game, offered more fulsome praise.

He said: "Arjen had a fantastic game and it was a very important goal for him as it's his first for Chelsea. He's just 20 years old and has a fantastic future but it's important to get a good start. We know each other very well and it's great for Chelsea that he's fit. He's dangerous with every touch of the ball and no opponent can keep him away from the goal, whether it's a free-kick, an assist or a goal.

"He's one of the best players in Europe at the moment. He ' s strong, quick and has two good feet, which means he can go inside or outside the opponent. He has everything that a top player needs and can beat players with one touch of the ball. He can change the game with one touch and Chelsea must just hope that he stays fit. Everything seems very easy to him but he works very hard. The best thing about him is his mentality, he's always the last person to leave the training ground."

Robben was the star of the show but this was a genuine team performance by Chelsea, who deservedly secured qualification as Group H winners with their fourth straight Champions League victory. Against the Red Army club Chelsea rather appropriately chose to wear the white shirts favoured by western forces in the Soviet Union's bloody civil war, but this time the visitors secured the spoils. John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho were both magnificent as CSKA started strongly at the beginning of each half, pressure that only abated when Vagner Love blasted a woeful penalty over the crossbar.

Having already won the group, Chelsea are free to focus on the Premiership until the knockout stage begins at the end of February, though there will be no let up from Mourinho.

He said: "We will face the next stage against the second-placed team but I promise CSKA that we will play exactly the same way against PSG and Porto. Anyone who thinks we will take it easy is making a big mistake."

At a club troubled by stories of drug-use and gambling, Mourinho's only addiction is winning.

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Robben can lead the Blue revolution

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