FREIBURG: Chelsea wing Arjen Robben said here on Wednesday he wished to prove Dutch national coach Marco van Basten right and show he is one of the great players of his era.
The 22-year-old said he felt in good form as he focuses on the Group C opener against defensively sound Serbia and Montenegro on Sunday in Leipzig in a group which also includes Argentina and Africa Nations Cup finalists Ivory Coast.
“It’s been a while now that he (van Basten) said that (about it being Robben’s World Cup),” said Robben, who was an influential part of the Dutch side that reached the Euro 2004 semi-finals.
“We will if that is borne out on the pitch. What is sure is that I feel good, very fresh.
“But it is clear that the World Cup is the ideal stage to show the whole world what one is worth as a footballer.
“The best players are there. It is a highly motivating factor to be able to compare oneself to the great players before finally trying to become one of them,” added Robben, who has scored 16 times for Chelsea in 69 appearances in all competitions since joining two years ago.
Robben admitted that his group was probably the toughest of the first stage and that a moment’s hesitation could prove fatal in deciding who progressed to the second round as the Dutch bid to at last justify their reputation as one of football’s giants by winning the trophy.
“I don’t really want to think about the tournament as a whole at the moment but rather focus on the first match against Serbia-Montenegro,” said Robben.
“They are a solid side (they only conceded one goal in the qualifiers) with classy individuals.
“But we also have a squad packed with quality. We think together, we play really tightly and I am very confident.
“The Dutch have players who can take us a long way in the tournament.
“However we have to stay alert. Because in our group it may be the merest thing that makes the difference.
“It will be a shame to play well but to lose everything because of a slip of concentration.” Robben also dismissed talk about his future at Chelsea, whom he has helped to two successive Premiership titles, after they bought Andriy Shevchenko from AC Milan and another striker Ivory Coast-born Salomon Kalou last month.
“Am I worried? Frankly no.
“Competition is part of football and personally, I am not afraid of anyone.
“However I am not thinking of next season.
“First for me is the World Cup, then a good holiday and then it will be time to think of next season.” (AFP)