The Dutch winger has been linked with moves to all three in recent weeks, but we can’t see it happening.
This may be painful for Chelsea fans to hear, but Arjen Robben is arguably the most complete winger in the world.
Since they sold him, he has continued to be as effective as his best moment at Stamford Bridge, combining dazzling wing play and trickery with direct running at opposition defences, and importantly end product.
Robben scored the crucial goal which knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League in 2010, and bagged a winner at Wembley for Holland last month, and was instrumental in the club’s 7-0 demolition of Basel, forging a devastating relationship with prolific striker Mario Gomez.
So it is partly surprising to hear him linked with a move back to the Premier League. It’s not because players of his quality will always be in demand, but more a surprise because Bayern would be so unlikely to let him go.
The German champions are not in the habit of selling their star players, especially on the cheap, and are not about to start now.
Over the years, players such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery have been linked with multi-million pound moves to La Liga or the Premier League, but Bayern have been able to resist such temptation.
A main reason is that the German club are in a healthy state of finances, and look set to continue that way, as strong favourites to progress to the Champions League semi-finals for the second time in three years.
The only main star Bayern Munich did allow to leave was Owen Hargreaves in 2007, but they resisted a big money bid from Manchester United in 2006, and cannily only accepted the offer when it became clear he was struggling with his knees.
Arjen Robben may have had his injuries, but Bayern will not want to be without him, and have got the best out of him over the past few seasons, even if he is not able to start as many games as he would like. The intensity of the Premier League could also further harm his body if he decided to move back there.
Last weekend he bagged a hat-trick in a 6-0 win away to Hertha Berlin, bringing his total to 10 goals in 17 Bundesliga appearances this season.
Sure, Bayern may think 17 league appearances out of 26 is not the best return, but it is not bad either, and his production in those games has been tremendous, helping Bayern score 20 goals in their last three games. Selling him would be a backwards step for a side which is continuing to build to battle Spain’s giants.
There is no doubt that for Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City- all clubs linked with bringing him in this summer, he would be a tremendous acquisition, and improve their sides immensely, but Bayern Munich are a strong-willed and resolute club, and will not let him go.
The player may be making noises that he could be open to a move, but Bayern will not sell.
The Premier League trio, and anyone else casting their eye over the Dutchman should give up on him and focus their efforts elsewhere.
image: © Lorenzo Blangiardi
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