Top 10 Footballers of 2014 #5: Arjen Robben

You know what true genius is? When you can predict an event, take every reasonable step to prevent it taking place and the show just goes on uninterrupted. Every wing back in football can tell you what Arjen Robben will do as soon as he gets the ball and yet they can’t do anything to stop it. No one’s got the answers to Robben’s darts and cut ins. He’s just that good. Functioning in Guardiola’s Bayern side, Robben has at times taken on the Messi role of being the team’s creative hub and not faltered. Domestic success ensures he gets credit.

As Louis van Gaal pondered on how he could reach the heights no Dutch team had ever reached with the most adulterated talent pool, his solution was to reconcile Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, share the captaincy between them and build his team around their talents. Whilst van Persie started brilliantly then stuttered, Robben’s class was consistent as he took the Dutch to a 3rd place finish: the crowning glory of his 2014.