Hall of Fame: Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp is a former Dutch professional football player. He was born on 10 May 1969 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He mainly played the role of an SS ( a second striker ) at the forward position. However, he started his career as a wide midfielder before switching to a forward position and playing as a striker. He started his professional career at Ajax at the age of 11.
His outstanding performances have led him to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1993 and also to be selected by Pelé as one of FIFA’s 100 greatest living players.
Dennis Bergkamp also fondly known as the “ Non-Flying Dutchman” by Arsenal supporters due to his fear of flying ( aerophobia ) is one of the most elegant players to ever play football. The Dutchman made a name for himself playing for AFC Ajax in the late 80s and early 90s before having a spell at Inter Milan and Arsenal before retiring from football in 2006.
EARLY LIFE
Dennis “Ice Man” Bergkamp born in Amsterdam, was the last son of Wim and Tonnie Bergkamp. His father, an electrician and amateur footballer in the lower leagues named him in honor of Scottish & Manchester United legend Denis Law. To comply with Dutch given name customs, an extra "n" was inserted in Bergkamp's first name by his father after it was not accepted by the registrar. Bergkamp was raised as a Roman Catholic by his family and regularly attended church during his childhood. Although in later years he said visits to church did not appeal to him, Bergkamp still maintains his faith. According to Bergkamp in an interview he did with Four Four Two magazine back in 2011 his childhood footballing heroes were Glenn Hoddle, whom he admired for his soft precise touch, and Johan Cruyff, who once coached him when he was twelve and also gave him his debut at the age of 17 in 1986 in a match against Roda JC.
STYLE OF PLAY & TRAITS
Coming through the ranks at AFC Ajax, Bergkamp was schooled in Total Football, a playing style, and philosophy that relied on versatility. This was seen as key to maximizing the footballer's potential; players tried out every outfield position before finding one that suited them best. Every age group at Ajax played in the same style and formation as the first team to allow individuals to slot in without effort when eventually moving up to the First Team. Bergkamp "played in every position apart from goalie" and believed he benefited from the experience of playing as a defender, as it helped him "know how the defenders think and how to beat them".
Although he was known for his composure and ability to score several classy goals, Bergkamp was also capable of playing in a free role behind a lone striker, where he essentially functioned in the number 10 role as a playmaker or deep-lying forward, due to his ball skills and creative ability, which enabled him to drop deep between the lines and link-up play, and operate across all attacking areas of the pitch.
Bergkamp was a quick, elegant, technical, intelligent, and gifted player. He possessed an excellent first touch, which – coupled with his quick feet, dribbling ability, and change of pace – enabled him to beat defenders in one on one situations, while his attacking movement, physique, balance, and close control allowed him to hold up the ball and create space for teammates; his vision and passing range with both feet, despite being naturally right-footed, subsequently allowed him to provide assists for on-running strikers and teammates. Bergkamp stated severally that he preferred playing in this deeper role, as he derived more pleasure from assisting goals, rather than scoring them himself.
CLUB CAREER
Ajax: 1986–1993
Appearances: 239
Goals: 122
Goal Assists: 23
Trophies: 5
Bergkamp was brought up through Ajax's youth system, joining the club at age 11. It didn’t take long for Dennis to find the net after being given his debut in 1986 by Johan Cryuff. He went on to score his first professional goal for Ajax months later against HFC Haarlem in the February of 1987. It was there that Dennis Bergkamp’s life story as we know it began because soon he found himself a regular starter at Ajax and quickly developed into one of the finest players that Ajax fans had ever seen.
Although his professional career started in the mid-80 it wasn’t until the start of the 1990s that Bergkamp hit the best form of his Ajax career, picking up two consecutive Dutch Footballer of the year awards in 1991 and 1992. His great form earned him 3 Eredivisie top goalscorer awards between 1990 and 1993 and also helped Ajax win 2 domestic cups, 1 Eredivise title, 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup, and a UEFA Cup
Bergkamp’s best-ever goal tally in a single season was in his last season with AFC Ajax where he scored 33 goals in all competitions and he was subsequently named 3rd in the race for the Ballon d’Or trophy, losing out to his countryman, Marco Van Basten. Bergkamp ended up scoring 122 goals in 237 matches.
Inter Milan: 1993–1995
Appearances: 72
Goals: 22
Goal Assists: 4
Trophies: 1
As a result of his performances at AFC Ajax, Bergkamp attracted the attention of several European clubs with Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid among the host of clubs said to have been interested in him.
On 16 February 1993, Bergkamp agreed to a £7.1 million move to Inter Milan and made his debut against Reggiana on 29 August 1993 at the San Siro in a 2–1 victory. He scored his first goal for the club against Cremonese in September 1993 but had to endure a difficult spell in the Italian Serie A and found it hard to adapt against the highly organized and resolute Italian defenses at that time.
His second season at Inter Milan wasn’t any better as Bergkamp endured a disappointing campaign, troubled with stress injuries and fatigue while the managerial changes also played a part. Bergkamp left Inter Milan eventually in 1995.
Despite a difficult spell in Italy, Bergkamp won the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan and was the competition’s top scorer.
Arsenal: 1995–2006
Appearances: 423
Goals: 120
Goal Assists: 117
Trophies: 11
Bergkamp left Inter Milan and signed with Arsenal in June 1995 for a transfer fee estimated at £7.5 million. Bergkamp's arrival at the club was a significant one because he was a major contributor to Arsenal's return to success after much decline in the mid-1990s. Bergkamp made his full debut against Middlesbrough on the opening day of the 1995–96 league season, He struggled to adapt to the English game and failed to score in the club's next six league matches but would eventually score his first and second goals for Arsenal against Southampton at Highbury.
However, The appointment of Arsène Wenger as Arsenal manager in September 1996 marked a turning point in Bergkamp's career and for Arsenal FC. Wenger fresh from a successful managerial spell in France and Japan recognized Bergkamp's talent and saw him as a pivotal part of the team's forward play.
His presence helped Premier League grow and be a place for superstars. Players like Henry, Pires, Ljungberg, and Van Persie were mentored by him in his style of play and picked up a lot of his traits. During Arsene Wenger’s tenure as manager, Bergkamp was paired with a lot of phenomenal strikers, namely Ian Wright, Anelka, Thierry Henry & Kanu. His unforgettable partnership with Thierry Henry became a career-defining partnership as two of the best strikers in Premier League history linked up together to score and assist goals and create magic in Highbury stadium.
He was also a popular and influential part of the unbeaten 2003-4 ‘Invincibles’ team.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Appearances: 79
Goals: 37
Goal Assists: 26
Trophies: 0
Bergkamp made his international debut for the Netherlands national team against Italy on 26 September 1990 as a substitute for Frank de Boer. He scored his first goal for the team against Greece on 21 November 1990 and went on to represent his country in 5 major tournaments.
Although he didn’t win any major trophies with his national team, his performance in those tournaments was impeccable. One memorable moment was his final minute goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup Quarter Final.
He elegantly took one touch to control a long 60-yard aerial pass from Frank de Boer, exquisitely brought the ball down through Argentine defender Roberto Ayala's legs, and finally finished by firing a volley with the outside of his right foot, past keeper Carlos Roa at a tight angle on the right. A goal the non-flying dutchman personally cited as one of his best.
Dennis Bergkamp announced his retirement from the national team following the Netherlands' Euro 2000 semifinal defeat to Italy in a penalty shootout. Ironically bowing out of Football against the same nation he had made his international debut.
It’s safe to say Dennis Bergkamp certainly left his mark on Dutch & International football.
Thanks to Youtube, we’ve compiled for you 5 of the greatest Goals scored by the Non-flying Dutchman.
Enjoy!
1. Arsenal vs Newcastle 2. Arsenal vs Leicester 3. Ajax vs Vitesse4. Netherlands vs Argentina
5. Inter Milan vs Rapid Bucarest