There have been many Dutch players to try their luck in the Premier League but who has had the biggest impact?
- By Jake Chamberlain
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10) Rafael Van Der Vaart
Van Der Vaart started his career at Ajax after coming through the youth ranks and made over 110 appearances scoring over 50 goals respectively. In 2005, Rafael made the move to Germany at Hamburger SV to enhance his development and spent a successful three years at the German club. Real Madrid recruited his services for a fee of 13 million Euros. After an impressive season in 2008, Van Der Vaart was nominated for the Ballon d’Or but the award went to Cristiano Ronaldo. After falling out of favour and lack of game time, he made the move to England, joining Tottenham Hotspur. He had a pivotal role in Spurs’ first ever Champions League campaign and was eliminated in the quarter finals by his former club Real Madrid. Van Der Vaart finished top goalscorer for his new club in his first season. He went on to make over 60 appearances for Tottenham scoring over 20 goals but struggled with his injuries in his second season. Rafael now plays his football for Real Betis in La Liga and is still fondly remembered by Spurs fans.
9) Dirk Kuyt
Kuyt started his career at FC Utrecht and played for the first team since the age of 18. He made over 150 appearances for the Dutch club, scoring over 50 goals. After impressing in the Eredivisie for five seasons, Dutch giants Feyenoord captured Dirk Kuyt’s signature. In 2005 Kuyt was handed club captaincy after consecutive seasons of good performances. After three successful years Kuyt announced he would like to play in the Premier League. His wish came true as Liverpool signed the Feyenoord superstar for an undisclosed fee. He spent six years at Anfield and was once again a fan favourite due to his hard work and important goals. His most memorable game in a Reds shirt was against arch rivals Manchester United in which he scored the famous “six yard hat-trick”. He was adored by Liverpool fans and had a big impact on the club over the six seasons. Dirk Kuyt now plays football for previous club Feyenoord where he is once again captain.
8) Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben started his career at FC Groningen after coming through the youth ranks. He continued to develop and earned “Player of the season” in his first campaign for the Dutch club. This was recognised by PSV Eindhoven as they signed the young winger. His progressions steadily improved for the Dutch giants and helped PSV clinch their 17th Eredivisie title. After two consecutive seasons of impressive performances, Premier League clubs came calling and the newly rejuvenated Chelsea FC was his destination. In his three seasons at Chelsea, Robben won every English major trophy, including back to back Premier League titles, one FA cup in 2006-2007, two league cup wins and one community shield win. Robben played a big part in the success of Chelsea as he was a constant threat from either wing. Robben went on to play for Real Madrid and now Bayern Munich where he is still respected as one of the best wingers in the world.
7) Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy started his senior career at Dutch side Telstar but got released due to his poor timekeeping. He then went on to sign for AZ and earned himself a contract. He made 46 appearances for the club before again getting released. Jimmy tried his luck in Portugal, signing for Campomaiorense and later Boavista. He had better success in Portugal making over 50 appearances between the two clubs and scoring over 20 goals. Due to his impressive performances led to a move to England, for Leeds United. After a difficult start to his first season, Jimmy turned it around and managed 26 goals in all competitions. He carried on his good form in his second season and finished join top goalscorer in the Premier League with 18 goals. After complications with his contract Jimmy made the move to Atletico Madrid, he had an impressive season and was the runner up for top goalscorer but made a quick return to England joining Chelsea. He spent four seasons at Stamford Bridge becoming a fan favourite scoring 70 goals for the London club. His goals and personality helped him become a club legend. He stayed in England for the rest of his career with stints at Middlesborough, Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City. He will be remembered fondly in the Premier League by Leeds and Chelsea fans. He is now the manger of championship side Queens Park Rangers.
6) Jaap Stam
Stam started his career with FC Zwolle, he spent one season at the club and was a first team regular. He moved to fellow Dutch club SC Cambuur but unfortunately for him, they was relegated in his first season. Williem brought the centre back to the Eredivisie. After impressing for his new club, PSV Eindhoven brought him in the same season and he won his first professional trophy, the KVNB cup. After an impressive season with PSV, winning the Eredivisie, he soon became the most expensive Dutch player as he moved to English giants Manchester United. Stam spent three seasons in Manchester and managed to win, three Premier League titles, one FA cup and one Champions League. United’s success was largely down to the solid defence in which Stam was ever present. Manchester United sold Stam to Lazio in which Sir Alex Ferguson stated was “one of the biggest mistakes in his career”. This comment was a clear indication to how highly Ferguson and United fans rated him. Stam is now a assistant coach of Dutch giants Ajax.
5) Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars began his career at Go Ahead Eagles before making the move to Williem. He impressed in his first and only season and shown enough potential for Ajax to buy him for 2.5 million euros. After a good first season, Overmars helped Ajax win the KVNB cup beating SC Heerenveen 6-2 and scoring two goals. In his second season his improved performances led to Ajax winning the Eredivisie finishing 25 points clear of second place Feyenoord. Things kept getting better for Marc Overmars as he later added the champions league to his trophy cabinet as Ajax beat Milan in the 1994-1995 season. Ajax’s success and his progress led to a move to England, joining Arsenal. In the three seasons he spent at Arsenal, they managed to win the Premier League, Community Shield and the FA cup. His style was loved by Arsenal fans as his direct attacking play, running at defenders was exciting to watch. He is considered one of the best foreign players to grace the Premier League. He later went on to play for Barcelona and retired in 2009 whilst playing for his first club, Go Ahead Eagles.
4) Robin Van Persie
Robin Van Persie made his professional debut at the young age of 17 for Eredivisie club Feyenoord. He impressed quickly and won the KVNB best young talent award in his first season. He made over 60 appearances scoring only 15 goals but many coaches where pleased with his development. Robin made the step up and made the move to English club Arsenal. He spent eight seasons at the North London club and made himself a club Legend along the way. Making nearly 200 appearances robin scored an impressive 96 goals and developed into a leader becoming captain of Arsenal in 2011. Robin won the FA cup and the community shield but he desperately wanted to win the Premier League. Van Persie astonishingly joined arch rivals Manchester United in 2012 causing backlash from Arsenal fans. His legendary status was forgotten as he aimed on winning the Premier League with United. That is just what RVP achieved in his first season, helping Manchester United secure their 20th Premier League title. He won top goalscorer that season and was an instant hit with his new fans to the despair of his ex club. He went on to score 48 goals in just over 80 appearances for the club. Robin Van Persie is now playing his football for Fenerbahce but will be remembered for his goal scoring ability in the Premier League for years to come.
3) Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Ruud started his career at Den Bosch where he impressed at a young age which led him to a move to SC Heerenveen and he carried on his development. After a good season Ruud made his big move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, in his first campaign for the club he scored an incredible 31 goals in 34 games. This caused attention from Europe and after scoring an impressive 62 goals in 67 games for PSV, he made the move to English side, Manchester United. In 2002 Ruud had his most impressive season to date as his goals led United to the Premier League title. He finished top goalscorer and also scored 12 goals in the Champions League which led to him being named by UEFA as the best striker in Europe. He made over 150 appearances for the club scoring over 90 goals, winning every major accolade in England. He left the club a legend and is one of the best strikers to ever grace the Premier League. Ruud is now the current assistant manager for the Dutch national team.
Edwin started his professional career at Ajax and was sensational for them. Over the years spent at the Dutch club, they won the UEFA Cup and Champions League with Van Der Sar picking up 1995 Best European Goalkeeper award. He also won Dutch goalkeeper of the year on four occasions before making the move to Italian giants Juventus. He had a successful two seasons in Serie A helping Juventus come close to the title on both occasions before becoming 2nd choice Goalkeeper due to the arrival of Gianluigi Buffon. In a shock move, Edwin joined newly promoted Fulham FC and stated he felt appreciated upon arrival. After playing over 120 games for the London club, Edwin caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United and made the big move in 2005. It seemed a perfect fit with United still to effectively replace Peter Schmeichel and Edwin wanting to win trophies. In his six seasons in Manchester he impressively won four Premier League titles, two football league cups, three FA community shields and one Champions League. He was loved by United fans and respected by all fans of the Premier League. He is often labelled along with Peter Schmeichel as one of the best foreign goalkeepers to ever play in the Premier League.
1) Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp began his professional career at Ajax after coming through the youth system. Johan Cryuff gave Dennis his debut in 1986 after impressing for youth teams. He later went on to play over 180 games for his hometown club scoring just over 100 goals. After catching the eye of several European clubs due to his performances for Ajax, he joined Italian club Inter Milan. He spent only two seasons at the Italian club and failed to adapt to the style of Italian football and managed 11 goals in just over 50 appearances. Bergkamp joined English club, Arsenal and became the most expensive signing for the club at the time. He spent eleven seasons at the club and became a club legend with many fans naming him the best ever Arsenal player. He made over 300 appearances for the club scoring 87 goals. Bergkamp will be remembered for his amazing goal vs Newcastle which is still highly considered as the best ever Premier League goal. During his time with Arsenal, Dennis won three Premier League titles, four FA cups and three FA Community Shields. His legendary status at Arsenal was solidified when they had a statue built of him outside their stadium. Dennis Bergkamp is now the assistant manager of hometown club Ajax. Myself and many others consider Dennis Bergkamp the Premier Leagues greatest ever Dutch import.
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