Rocking robben - holland

The best Holland player...
Stewart Downing has revealed his admiration for flying Dutchman Arjen Robben - but predicts the Holland winger will be on the losing side against Spain.

The Bayern Munich ace has been one of the stars of the World Cup as a left-footed player deployed on the right of Holland's midfield.

It is a tactical move which has become a trend in modern football and something Downing has become familiar with at Villa Park.

He and Ashley Young were frequently allowed to switch flanks during a successful campaign in claret and blue.

Downing is impressed with the way Robben carries out this role and believes it is a ploy that can cause havoc for defenders.

"Robben is a great player. I didn't see a lot of him before he went to Chelsea because he was only young," said Downing.

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"But when he went to Chelsea I thought he was really good - quick, a good dribbler and he had a good shot on him.

"He has been one of the players that has stood out. He was injured before one of the games, came in and scored a couple of goals and is a big part of that Dutch team.

"He has done well at Munich as well. It can be an advantage playing on the right or the left. You can ask Ashley too, playing as a right footer on the left.

"It gives the defender a problem if you can use both feet and go on the opposite side. Barcelona do it with Messi on the right and Iniesta on the left and it is probably because you are playing against a full-back who is left-footed and you can cut in onto his weaker foot.

"It tends to work well with me and Ashley here because we are swapping and it gives defenders problems because it gives them different things to face up to."

Robben's Dutch team-mate Wesley Sneijder and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger have also caught Downing's eye during the World Cup.

While the former Middlesbrough wide man feels Holland would be worthy winners, he expects Spain's quality to be the difference in Sunday's final at Soccer City.

"I think it has been a bit of a strange World Cup from the past ones," he added. "The teams that are still in have done really well. Holland normally do really well and then fade but they have a chance of winning.

"Spain, even with the early setback, I thought would be strong because they have got so many good players.

"You talk about players to look for - Sneijder has been a standout player and Schweinsteiger of Germany. They have been two for me who have stood out in the games.

"It will be a great final. The way they have played, I think Holland deserve to win but you can't rule out Spain because they have got so much quality in that team.

"David Villa is on fire and is likely to pop up with a goal. So I'll probably go with them overall."