Arjen Robben delighted

[Euphoria]

Arjen Robben is delighted that Frank Arnesen is joining the club.

Robben worked with Arnesen at PSV Eindhoven and says the Dane's imminent signing is a coup for Chelsea

He said: "I was with Frank for two years at PSV and I know him as a great person.

"He brings new players into a club and brought some great players to PSV. That's why they want to take him.

"I am sure he will do a good job if he comes to Chelsea. It would be good for the club.

"We have shown we're a great side, we won the league, we won the Carling Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League so it's been a great season.

"We have proved we are not affected by things happening off the pitch."

Former Liverpool star Jan Molby played with Arnesen for Denmark - and is convinced his former team-mate will be a roaring success at Stamford Bridge.

Molby declared: "Frank Arnesen is a perfect match for Chelsea. He really is made for Chelsea.

"His record is first class. He was going to retire at PSV Eindhoven but I am glad he kept going and Spurs were lucky to get him. He was also a very good footballer and he knows everything about the game.

"It doesn't surprise me that Chelsea wanted him. It didn't surprise me that Tottenham wanted him.

"It just surprised me how few people over here in England knew how good Frank was.

"Maybe it is because, in England, people are unfamiliar with this role.

"Frank certainly doesn't interfere with the manager which is a good thing, even though he could also be a top manager.

"If he does go to Chelsea, I am sure he will help them become even stronger."

[weh8spurs678]

will jose want a director of football though?

[Euphoria]

Regardless of Arnesen, nobody tells Jose what to do ;D

Sunday Mirror

FRANK ARNESEN is an urbane, charming Dane who is probably the best talent scout in the world.

And that's why the latest tapping row to engulf Chelsea is centred on a man who finds budding superstars rather than a famous player like Ashley Cole.

Nobody can dispute 49-year-old Arnesen's track record. That's why Tottenham recruited him last year - and why Chelsea want him now.

Arnesen doesn't come cheap, either. His basic salary of £600,000 can be doubled by success, ensuring he's now in the £1.2million class at Spurs.

Before arriving at White Hart Lane last summer Arnesen had been courted by Ajax and Valencia. He rejected their offers and spent the best part of a decade with PSV Eindhoven.

During his days as Technical Director of PSV, Arnesen discovered some of the most famous players in the world. His knowledge of emerging talent ensured PSV always bought when the price was low and enjoyed some massive profits down the line.

He is known for having the best contacts in South America. Proof of this comes with the fact that he found a willowy young centre-forward called Ronaldo and recruited him from Cruzeiro for just £3.2million.

At PSV the Brazilian blossomed and eventually became the most feared striker in the world. After helping PSV win the Dutch title PSV sold him to Barcelona for £20m.

Arnesen doesn't need first-class flights to South America to uncover brilliant footballers. And he can hunt them down closer to home, too.

For instance, when PSV wanted a big, powerful centre-back Arnesen guided them to unfashionable Willem II and a certain Jaap Stam. The defender cost a mere £2m. That fee was multiplied sixfold when Stam was sold to Manchester United.

And United didn't quibble too much at paying a club record fee for another of Arnesen's Dutch masters. After selling Ronaldo and needing a proven marksman PSV turned to the emerging talent of a player at small-time Herenveen. It cost them just £3m to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy.

At this point a string of English clubs had heard of the goal machine but none of them was prepared to take a gamble. Arnesen believed he'd found another gem and persuaded Van Nistelrooy that Eindhoven was a better bet than England as his next career destination.

By the time the world's richest club decided to bring Ruud to Old Trafford the fee had spiralled to a then club record of £17.8m.

There's irony in the fact that Chelsea, bankrolled by Roman Abramovich's billions, are at the centre of a row in their hopes to recruit a scout.

But Arjen Robben is another star plucked from the Arnesen talent pool.

Robben was playing for Groningen when PSV recruited him for £2.4m. Maybe he was coached well but his value soared - and by the time Chelsea beat off Manchester United to sign the precocious talent his transfer value had soared to £12m.

Professional life hasn't always been easy for Arnesen.

He paid a painful personal price for the non-stop travelling and pressure of his trade.

Arnesen suffered a burn-out in the mid-90s that led to him requiring a period of rest and recuperation at his home. He asked to be relieved of his duties and took a lengthy breather.

But eventually PSV invited him back - because he's the best.