Robben sheds inconsistency

Credited as the driving force behind Bayern's Bundesliga title win, with 16 league goals, Robben also led his club to victory in the German Cup and into the Champions League final.

His forays down the right wing, long-range goals and impact on team spirit made the soft-spoken Robben a fan favourite in his first season with Bayern, after he was nudged out of Real Madrid last August to make space for Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Robben, 26, has long been prone to injuries which interrupted his career at Madrid and at Chelsea.

At Bayern, who paid some 25 million euros ($33.5 million) to sign him, he swiftly found his niche under manager and compatriot Louis van Gaal, overshadowing French team mate Franck Ribery.

While Ribery had a season plagued by injuries and off-the-pitch problems, Robben became the club's top scorer, contributing goals that knocked Fiorentina, Manchester United and Lyon out of the Champions League.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk is delighted with Robben's current form, though nervous about any effects the prolonged season might have on him.

Van Marwijk has worked out a plan to find the right balance between training and rest ahead of the World Cup so that he can get the best out of the winger.