A fit and on form Arjen Robben is probably the most dangerous winger on the football planet at the moment - more so than Christian Ronaldo in my opinion, although the greater reliability of the Portuguese model means that the Manchester team receive a greater contribution for their cause. 

The Dutch winger has attracted interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich but was more recently linked to Real Madrid earlier this week.  These reports are somewhat confusing as they are very similar to those made last year when Calderon was quoted as saying:

"Robben has signed a contract with us and I have no doubt at all that Kaka will come to play for Madrid. I am delighted that he is coming." 

Earlier this week, Robben´s father, Hans, (who acts as his agent) denies any such contact with the Real Madrid hierarchy now or before: 

“I never met him or anyone from Madrid and did not speak to them. We are nearly finished negotiating with Chelsea.  Arjen will stay another five years with the club.” 

It should be noted that Real Madrid president, Ramon Calderon, is well known for making dramatic claims during the summer months with regard to new signings in order to appease the clubs fans and strengthen his own position. These claims can get even more spurious when there are presidential elections.  Last year he claimed they were going to sign Kaka (whilst the other candidate, Juan Villar Mir, said Manchester United´s Cristiano Ronaldo was ready to join the club should he win the forthcoming elections!). 

Calderon is playing a dangerous game with his own electorate.  Real Madrid do not have the money they once had since the previous president, Perez, adopted a “galatico” transfer policy -  eventually funded by Madrid council when they footed the 130M deficit by buying their training complex off the club - which was then promptly given back to them!  Nevertheless, Chelsea will ask FIFA to investigate this alleged illegal approach for Robben.  Kenyon came smartly out the blocks: 

"We note that Mr Calderon confirms Real Madrid spoke to Arjen.  As a result Chelsea will be writing to Fifa to ask them to investigate an illegal approach by Real Madrid."

A further angle worth considering is that this “Real Madridgate” is all part of the political game that a lot of clubs play during this cut and thrust period of transfer dealings. 

It is well known that Real Madrid have been reported to have mounted an intense campaign to sign Sevilla right-back, Alves - whom Chelsea may also be interested in signing - and it’s not unusual for clubs to fire parting shots across the bows of each other a la  “Leave him alone and we’ll leave your one alone” type spats.  

I’ve no idea if we have a genuine interest in signing Alves (some prefer Micah Richards who can also double up as a centre-half and he certainly fits the Chelsea signing profile) although it does make sense in that this is the only position where we have a possible achillies heel and certainly Mourinho has used five different players in this position in an effort to find a solution. 

Even if there is no genuine interest from our side it’s also not unusual for a “rival” club (domestic or continental) to apparently enter the fray in securing the services of a player in order to make sure that the other club pays top dollar - consequentially weakening their financial position in the process. 

The new Robben contract was possibly also helped by new links with Robben´s original club, FC Groningen who look set to become another feeder club for us alongside PSV.  Robben´s father is reportedly being lined up for a role as technical advisor and a meeting took place recently in London between officials from the Dutch club and Peter Kenyon.  Chelsea youngsters could soon be gaining first-team experience in a top European league such as some Man Utd youngsters do with Belgian club Antwerp. Hans Nijland, FC Groningen’s managing director, said:  

"Arjen’s father visits all our home matches. He also sees most matches at Chelsea and he is a regular guest there.” 

“We asked him to be the intermediary between both clubs and arrange a meeting with Peter Kenyon.  I spent the whole of last weekend with our manager Henk Veldmate in London.” 

“ We had a first meeting with Mr Kenyon and Chelsea were very open and warm to us. They let us look behind the scenes, especially in the technical and commercial departments of the club. We have now made big arrangements for Chelsea to come to Holland. They will arrive with a whole delegation at our Euro Tournament this month, which is the world’s biggest club tournament for under-19s.” 

"After that we will discuss how we can work together when it comes to the best use of young players and developments of Chelsea’s talents. Chelsea have enough players to create three Premier League teams."  

The new 5 year Robben deal probably also signals our withdrawal from the apparent race to sign Florent Malouda although the yo-yoing from Liverpool to Chelsea to Arsenal and back to Liverpool and now Arsenal again suspiciously looks like the work of his agent, hoping to generate interest and a higher fee for his player. I couldn’t see us signing such a player unless we were to move someone like Wright-Phillips (which would be a mistake in my opinion). 

Malouder is a French international and seems intent in leaving Lyon, so much so that he doesn’t appear to have a real preference: 

"I have talked with Lyon officials. There are no offers yet, but it is true there has been direct contact. Liverpool and Chelsea have shown interest.  I don't know how it will be finalised. But in my mind it is certain I will leave.” 

"At Chelsea there is Didier Drogba and all the rest. But at Liverpool, Benitez is a great coach too, and the team has played in two Champions League finals in three years.” 

"To me the most important thing will be the desire shown by the club. To move abroad, you really have to be wanted.  I believe it will still need some time. But if the deal is good for Lyon, I believe they won't try to keep me."  

Robben, Carvalho and Essien have all signed new deals and Terry and Lampard are expected to do the same.  Pizarro, Sidwell and Alex will all arrive on free transfers and we have more than enough to splash out on a final piece in the jigsaw without greatly restricting the break even target that has always been one of the clubs objectives.   

Mourinho is staying (I don’t believe he was going anywhere anyway) and we have no fears or uncertainties about new owners and their real intentions.  In short, so far, so good - and best of all, without an obscene amount of bad luck with regard to injuries, it will be extremely difficult to stop us next season. 

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