There is a statue outside the Emirates Stadium of a Dutchman immortalised in bronze, with a right leg majestically stretched to control the ball, replicating a wonderful piece of skill orchestrated by the great Dennis Bergkamp against Newcastle United in his pomp. Blessed with elegance, poise and exquisite skill, Bergkamp was one of the most deliciously sumptuous footballers to grace the Premier League. Watching the Dutch centre-forward play was like witnessing an art form, as he left defenders bamboozled in split-seconds, before effortlessly slotting past a bewildered goalkeeper. Sometimes, the opposition must have felt like clapping. We all know that Sam Allardyce enjoys pulling off a good old-fashioned transfer coup now and then, but even by his standards, luring Bergkamp to the Reebok Stadium would have been something else. It didn't stop him trying however, and the former Limerick FC manager claimed that 'he came close' to signing the former Arsenal striker.
''I came close to signing Dennis Bergkamp but he was not interested in coming north to play. It's disappointing because he would have been a fantastic acquisition for this football club. He was out of contract at Arsenal and we could have budgeted for his wages.'' - Sam Allardyce, July 2003.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
