His pace and close control were first deployed on behalf of his home-town team, VV Bedum, in the north of the Netherlands before he signed for nearby Groningen.Robben received his debut at the age of 16 and made a clean sweep of the man-of-the-match prizes in a victory over Feyenoord. And the one Arjen Robben gave Manchester United by agreeing to join Chelsea left Sir Alex Ferguson as flat-footed as any full-back.
Robben, a 20-year-old left-sided midfielder with just four caps for the Netherlands, has spurned United in favour of a £12m to Stamford Bridge during the summer. His present employers, the Dutch champions, PSV Eindhoven, will become a feeder club for Chelsea.The player for whom Claudio Ranieri and Ferguson competed so keenly had an unremarkable start to his career. The body-swerve is an integral part of any top-class winger’s game. At the same time, other groups who have never even made the starting gate have made a lot of noise and raised false hopes despite never being realistic contenders.” Of his role, Richmond added: “I have been advising the consortium, who requested my input from a football perspective, having more than 15 years’ experience I was delighted to offer my advice free of charge.”. Our offer has been on the table since 29 January and we are just trying to sort out one or two finer points.” Questions have been raised about the intentions of Krasner’s group but Richmond countered: “It’s been quite hurtful to see how the consortium has been lambasted by certain sections of the media.

It’s that everyone realises the dilemma that Leeds United find themselves in. What isn’t fully realised is that if the club goes into administration, it may be the end of the road. It may slide into liquidation.” The chances of Leeds becoming the first Premiership club to enter administration appeared to increase last Friday when Trevor Birch, the club’s chief executive and acting chairman, failed to secure a further extension of the “standstill agreement” with major creditors. The threat still remains, as does the possibility that Leeds will enter administration and then do a deal with a buyer Birch still hopes to find another way out “We are still moving forward,” Krasner said yesterday “That is what I am concerned with … The [other consortium from Yorkshire, who withdrew their interest last week] did all their negotiations in the press and failed to come up with a bid.

He added: “It reaches a stage where one has to accept realities. Although I still have a twinkle in my eye, after 15 years I’ve been bruised and battered and I’ve refused the invitation and approaches to be directly involved. “The important thing isn’t the consortium, nor is it Geoffrey Richmond. I’ve got absolutely no interest in Leeds whatsoever, although I wish good luck to whoever has.” He subsequently repeated that he had “nothing whatsoever to do with it”. The consortium, represented by a Leeds-based accountant, Gerald Krasner, has already tabled an eight-figure offer for Leeds, who have gross debts of more than £100m Theirs is the only offer currently on the table.