ROBERT HUTH: CHELSEA CAREER REVIEWED

German defender Robert Huth was born in Biesdorf, from the Eastern part of the capital city Berlin and he played for local team VfB Fortuna Biesdorfbefore leaving to join Union Berlin in the same capital city. West London giants Chelsea signed Robert Huth from Union Berlin as a teenager in 2001. His Chelsea debut came on the final day of the 2001/02 season which was his first season at the club. At the age of 17, Huth played his first game for the Blues as a half-time substitute for JesperGronkjaer against Aston Villa but he was unable to save Chelsea from a 3-1 home defeat to the team from the midlands.

Reading tried to sign Robert Huth on loan at the start of the 2003/04 season but they were unsuccessful as it was rejected by Chelsea. The centreback made 20 appearances for the Blues that season as he reiterated his long-term future lies at Stamford Bridge. In the following season, injuries restricted him to 15 appearances. By the time the 2005/06 season started, Robert Huthhad become the fourth choice centre back behind John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and William Gallasas manager Jose Mourinho preferred it thus making it almost impossible for him to see playing minutes.

Robert Huthbecame vocal about his lack of first team opportunities at the end of the 2005/06 season and this led to bids fromWigan Athletic, Everton and Middlesbrough. At the end of the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament on home soil, Huth declared his intention to sign for Middlebrough having agreed a five-year deal with them.

A proposed transfer to Middlebrough fell through after a failed medical on July 13, 2006. He would later sign for the club on August 31, 2006 in a £6m deal. Robert Huth put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the club until 2011.