Quiet life the secret for flying Dutchman Robben

CHELSEA’S flying Dutchman Arjen Robben puts his new found scoring success down to living the quiet life off the pitch.

Robben scored his second goal in as many games with a second-half winner against Everton that put Chelsea two points clear at the top of the Premiership.

Inside four years Robben has gone from a youth team player in Holland to one of Europe’s hottest properties. So much so that Manchester United were prepared to buy the player last summer but Robben chose Chelsea instead.

The decision has turned out to be a shrewd one for the player who has now become the latest idol of the West London club.

But it certainly was not the bright lights of the capital that made Robben snub Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge - far from it.

He has opted to move into leafy Surrey, close to the location of the club’s new training ground in Cobham, rather than London and prefers to spend time playing pool instead of going to the bookies like some of his current team-mates are known to do.

“I have no regrets,” he said. “It’s difficult because in the first two-and-half months you want to play. But you have to deal with it. I had plenty of time at home to arrange things and settle in.

“I wanted to be near the training ground and live outside the city. I lived 10 kilometres outside of the city with PSV. I like it quiet. It’s good for your private life. I like to play pool, go on the computer or watch TV. I am just a normal guy.”

While he prefers the quiet life off the pitch, he’s red hot on it. His first goal against CSKA Moscow last Tuesday guaranteed Chelsea passage into the next stage of the competition and his 72nd minute winner broke Everton’s stubborn resistance on Saturday.

It condemned David Moyes’ side to their first away defeat of the season but Robben is determined to keep his feet on the ground.

“When I see how I started four years ago and where I am now, it’s been very quick. I played in a youth team, then I got a phone call from the coach of the first team, so I joined the first team for a game.

“Next season I started in the team and did well, went to PSV and had two good years.

“Then I got in the national team and went to Chelsea where I think I can become a better player.”

Everton boss Moyes is determined to keep Everton at the top with the leaders after losing for the first time on their travels.

But he knows it will not be an easy task with a budget that is a fraction compared to the billions at the disposal of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Moyes said: “If we had £12million then we would buy someone like Robben. But we don’t have £12million. You buy what you can afford.

“We never said we would be up at the top, but we are going to do everything we can to try and stay here.”

Chelsea have been linked with Real Madrid’s David Beckham and Newcastle’s Kieron Dyer in the last week but Mourinho said: “We will be linked with new players so I want to say that I am really happy with my squad. I have no reasons to wish big changes and I want everyone to trust these players.”