Robben: Injury is a disaster
Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has described his foot injury as “a disaster” and believes it could be two months before he is ready to rejoin the club’s quest for the Barclays Premiership title.
Robben limped out of last week’s defeat of Blackburn, a game in which he netted the winner, and missed Sunday’s disappointing stalemate with Manchester City.
The top-flight leaders today confirmed the Dutch star had broken two bones in his foot and that they will lose his explosive talents for the crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona and the Carling Cup final against Liverpool at the end of this month.
Robben said: “This is a disaster. Everything was going so well. It is a massive blow and comes just at the moment when I was in top shape. Six weeks is the average time to heal this injury and then I need a few more weeks to be completely fit again.”
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho conceded after their goalless draw against Manchester City that his side would miss the penetration offered by Robben’s pace.
The influential 21-year-old missed the first two months of the season with a broken bone in his other ankle and Robben knows he can expect a long time on the treatment table as the season draws to a close.
“I had the feeling directly that it was a serious injury but because of the swelling it was impossible to make a final diagnosis,” he added.
“It felt different than last summer when I had the same injury on my other foot.
“Then I could walk already after three days but I stayed sidelined for a long period. I hope it will take me now six to eight weeks.”
Meanwhile, Holland coach Marco Van Basten today warned Robben he must learn to tackle differently if he is to stay clear of the foot injuries which have taken the shine off his successful first season with Chelsea.
Former AC Milan star van Basten, whose career was ended by an ankle injury at the age of 29, said: “Every defender knows they must eliminate Robben. Maybe he must learn to go differently, more light-footed into a duel.
“I had to do that in the past. That is something he’ll learn.”
Chelsea struggled without Robben against Manchester City and fear the injury could keep him out of their run-in to the season as they chase four trophies.
Meanwhile, Mourinho is expecting Chelsea to drop more points when they visit Everton this weekend.
Chelsea’s lead at the top was cut to single figures at the weekend as a result of their failure to overcome stubborn City and Mourinho now fears another difficult game at Goodison Park.
The Portuguese coach concedes he will not be heading to Merseyside in a confident frame of mind because of the international week.
Chelsea have always been troubled following the break for international games this season and Mourinho fears they could drop more points.
Mourinho said: “It’s simple to understand that every week after the internationals, we have lost points.
“So now, maybe it is time for us to lose points again.”
Up to now, there have been four breaks for internationals this season, with the first preceding Chelsea’s 1-0 success at Birmingham in August. But in September, the Blues were held 0-0 at Aston Villa before slipping to a 1-0 reverse at Eastlands in October. In November, Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Bolton Wanderers.
