The right choices in life
Robin van Persie has talent. Lots of talent. He is potentially one of the best football players we have. But only potentially. Other talents from his generation (Van der Vaart, Robben) have proven themselves. They have shown that they can lead a team to great achievements (Van der Vaart) or simply that they can perform on a high level under any circumstances (Robben). Van Persie hasn't. He hasn't been able to perform on a high level for a longer period of time. One of the reasons for this is his relationship with his coach, the team and the press. He's got some behaviour problems. The best example of this is an incident in a UEFA Cup match a while ago. At that time Pierre van Hooijdonk was still playing for Feyenoord. He was the absolute leader and is one of the best free kick specialists in the world. When Van Hooijdonk takes a free kick, the opponents wet their pants. They got a free kick. Van Persie took it. It showed a lot of confidence, but also reveiled his immaturity. Since then he couldn't do anything right. Now he's leaving - to Arsenal. On the one hand such a big club could be good for him. Maybe he will accept the leadership of Arsene Wenger and won't complain when Thierry Henry plays instead of him. But joining a big club is not always the best solution for this kind of player. Just look at the case of Daniel da Cruz Carvalho (a.k.a. Dani) - the prettyboy talent who went to a big club (Ajax) and partied his career away. Maybe it would have been better for Van Persie if he did what Robben did. Spend some time at a smaller club and come back stronger, more disciplined and more mature. But what works for one person doesn't work for another. This kind of decision is hard to make and I can understand that when a club like Arsenal wants you, you don't say no. Let's hope it all works out for him and he doesn't end up like all those other failed talents the world has known. Whatever happens, it will be interesting to follow.
3:23:55 AM 
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