Arjen Robben reflects on time at Chelsea in letter to his 16-year-old self
Arjen Robben arrived at Chelsea at the age of 20 after spells with Groningen and PSV
Writing on The Players'
Tribune, Arjen Robben reflects on his early career including his time at
Chelsea in a letter to his 16-year-old self.
Dear 16-year-old Arjen,It's Thursday afternoon, and mum's been phoning your school.
And phoning.
At first, you're going to think something
is wrong. Why wouldn't you? Mum's never tried to get a hold of you while you're in class.
First off, don't worry. Everything is fine. In fact, you'll find out things are more than fine. But you're not going to believe what she's going to tell you when you call her back. You're not going to see this one coming.
When you call her back during a break between classes, everything is about to change. Very quickly.
So before you do call her back, and before everything happens, let me just say one thing that I want you to keep with you: Always play football with the hunger you've had. Keep your drive to improve. To do more. To be the best.
Arjen Robben began his career at Groningen in the Eredivisie
"The coach of Groningen's first team called earlier," Mum will tell you, once you finally speak. "He wants you to travel with them this weekend for the match."
I know, right? Incredible.
Why do I bring this up? Well, I've been thinking about that moment a lot lately. The moment when things really started. Another season has finished - your 17th, with another one coming this week. You're 33, and you're only playing on a one-year contract, so after that, who knows?
And maybe when the end of your career becomes more and more of a reality… you start thinking about the beginning. When it stopped being just a game.
Arjen Robben is entering into his ninth season with Bayern Munich
And your boss? His name is Jose Mourinho. I should prepare you. Because he will expect a lot of you … and of everyone. Right away, you'll feel the difference in playing for a Premier League club. You'll need to be tougher, stronger, faster.
You'll have to prove yourself all over again once you get there. And prove yourself to Jose every single week to stay in the lineup. Look, a lot has been said about Jose. He's a strong personality, he's demanding. But ever since you started playing, you've been just as demanding of yourself. In a way, it'll almost seem like a perfect match. He wants to see your very best, each and every day on the pitch. And all you'll want to give is your best. Whether in training, or in a match.
The Dutch winger helped Chelsea to two Premier League titles
Yes, this is going to be the first time you're challenged in that way, too. It's not how you wanted to start off in England … with a broken bone in your foot in a pre-season match. You'll be sidelined for more than two months. But that will only provide more motivation to prove yourself. To prove yourself to Jose. To your team-mates. To Stamford Bridge and the fans.
You'll want to show everyone what you can do.
And you will, with a 72nd-minute goal in your very first start at Stamford Bridge in November 2004.
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