Walking In A Bergkamp Wonderland

that goal against Newcastle

The only thing missing from this drawing is the brick that Nikos Dabizas shat right after that indelible flick and turn from Dennis Bergkamp. To add insult to injury he was muscled off the ball by the Dutchman, who then gave Shay Given the eyes to the near post and passed it into the far corner cool as you like.

He never needed more than a one year contract extension. He didn't get his knickers all twisted as talented strike partners were phased out. He just got on with the next one. Ian Wright. Nicolas Anelka. Thierry Henry. Sides were built, dismantled and built again, but one of the few constants was Dennis. There was unbelievable footballing intelligence married to immaculate technique, forged with a competitive fire, and driven by a willful, idealistic, and just simply beautiful approach to playing the game.

This man played football like he was jacked into the Matrix and could see the code written in every blade of grass. The pitch was his wonderland, and we have been blessed with the honor of walking in it with him.


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