Chelsea Tactics and Transfers: Arjen Robben should return in January

Chelsea FC should try to add Arjen Robben this January. The former Blue will be out of contract at Bayern Munich this summer and would add value to Antonio Conte’s squad.

As has been mentioned in this column and in other sports outlets on countless occasions, the biggest issue with Chelsea FC is nothing to do with talent. It has everything to do with mental fortitude and discipline. A club that was in recent years built around the gargantuan personalities of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry and – in years gone by Marcel Desailly, Peter Bonetti, Kerry Dixon and Jimmy Greaves – now lacks character at all.

In the vacuum left by those most recent players’ exits, players of more dubious leadership capabilities have stepped in weakening Chelsea’s foundation as a club and team. Where those previous players were genuine leaders of men Chelsea now have players like David Luiz – a center back better known for his hilarious off-field antics than football – and Thibaut Courtois, who seemingly can’t breathe without asking for a new contract and back-handedly insulting someone on his own team.  What a phenomenal bunch.

Chelsea need players who recognize the inherent joy and honor of playing for the club. Yes, there are bigger teams with history of more trophies. But is it better to be an employee than a friend? A servant than a brother? I would say no, and Chelsea need to build their team around a core of players who understand that.

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Chelsea can smartly reverse this failure by adding players of class who are known professionals, players who recognize that stadium size and shirt sales do not equate to a better life or higher level of play.

One such player in that mould is Arjen Robben.

There are few players in the European game who have achieved what Robben has. Yet he has also recognized publicly how wonderful his time at Chelsea was and exactly how much of a mistake it was to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid.  In a letter to his younger self, he wrote in The Players Tribune:

"Real Madrid was the biggest club in the world at the time. And you’ll feel that, with them, you’re at the top of the mountain, and anything else is a step down. But here’s something I want you to know: You couldn’t be more wrong about anything in your life. – The Players Tribune"

He also describes his time at Chelsea and what he learned.  What he does is explain exactly how that core group of leaders he was around during his spell made Chelsea great.

"Not just because you had players like Lampard and Drogba and Cech and Terry on the pitch. But because you had players like Lampard and Drogba and Cech and Terry off the pitch as well. Everyone on that team was thinking about each other. Everyone was thinking about the club. The atmosphere during that time … it was amazing."

Arjen Robben has the talent, the experience and most importantly the perspective to show the club and the current group of players exactly what needs to change and what they can achieve. If a player with Robben’s resume has this to say about Chelsea FC and how they achieved things, perhaps Chelsea can move in the right direction again.

It is remarkable that despite winning a championship under Antonio Conte, some Blues are still looking outwards. They are not focused on how good things are and what they could achieve.

Arjen Robben knows how dangerous that is from personal experience. He could help move this young Chelsea group, providing the sort of leadership the 20-year old Robben had when he arrived at Stamford Bridge, the leadership he spoke so glowingly of in his letter.

Robben could be had for less money than people expect because of his age and contract situation. He would come back to the club and lend a valuable array of off-field presence.  His ability as a winger, striker and attacking midfielder would make him a valuable addition to the squad for the season’s run-in as well.

Next: January transfers: Who should Chelsea buy, loan and sell?

The addition of Arjen Robben would be one of the best moves Chelsea FC could possibly make during the January transfer window.