Brilliant player. Notice his composure even a few yards in front of the goal post. Takes his sweet time (almost everytime), picks his spot, completes the goals like he's alone by himself. Salute!

Evaluation:

First goal (VS Newcastle) - Knows where the keeper expects the ball, slides it to the far post where it is least obvious.

Second goal (VS grey shirts) - Sees the opening between the defender and keeper with the far post corner in his sights, sends the ball in.

Third goal (VS bright yellow) - Balls rolling towards him, justifies enough momentum for a good 'chip', reconfirms the space between the defender in front of him and the him, lobs it just enough to keep the keeper on ground - until its too late.

Fourth goal (VS blue yellow strips) - While dribbling, options open out. Sees the two more defenders standing in place, knows he can shoot, hits the target.

Fifth goal (VS Tottenham I think) - Controls the ball and maintains his balance, knows the keeper will expect him to go for the far post, he tucks it right towards the keeper. The keeper is stunned, hence the ball went past him right above his shoulders.

(Setting up the goal) - cant tell this one, prolly sees the player coming towards him from the other side, keeps the ball in possession to buy time then sets it up.

(VS Liverpool - or is it Tottenham again?) Side swing his foot all the way to push the ball full force front, no curls, no spins, just straight ahead. It didn't make much difference at such distance with such space.

(VS white shirts with blue tummy) A little gap on the right side of goal post, the only spot he can pick at the moment, hits the target with enough down curl so the ball will stay on the lower mid air without going over.

(The header) nothing much to say, right place at the right time, floats in the air and connects with the ball to see results.

(Ajax VS RKC) Must've spotted the keeper getting greedy and coming forward, tight space to lob the ball, but did so with a great technique 'chip'.

(Ajax VS Vitnesse) Sensed the keeper, lobs it, timing was right when the keeper has committed his footwork, no chance for the keeper to back down or jump even.

(VS RKC) on the right side of the field, spins back and moving towards the left, all 3 defenders and keeper are expecting him to go for far post (look at their body positions) but he goes for the near one instead, tighter spot but unexpected and thus GOAL.

(VS white shirts) went past the first defender, space on the right - too obvious he must have thought, quickly tucks it far post (ball went past few inches from the other defender's foot) and scores. Keeper obviously furious with the defender.

(VS Leceister City) Got the ball. The nearest defender is not close enough. Takes a quick look - he's done it before - going to do it again, far post enough space for the ball to do a up-down curl into the corner. Scores.

(VS blue shirts) - Tries to 'chip' the ball past the keeper, just enough because the ball glided past the keeper. Lucky or plain skill? Debatable.

(VS blue shirts again) - Knows the only spot to score is far post (because his footwork position only allows that shot at that split second) decided to go for a mid-air far post since keeper was squatting too much to the left. Right on.

(VS southampton or sunderland) Keeper was in the right position, but the distance between his back and the far post was significant enough for a far post semi-lob shot. Shooting past the defender's back was smart too.

(VS Argentina) Critical moment, no foul ups, calm calm calm... In the six yard box, not much space for a low ball, too risky anyways. Strike it into the air, full force was needed to ensure the ball was fast enough - with that distance, direction made no difference, only had to be quick enough.

This post has been edited by nicholaswinters87: Jun 26 2008, 02:32 AM

you should post this in arsenal thread.
but it's ok to let everyone appreciate his contribution.

His goal against Newcastle was a highlight for his skill getting his marker with his back to the defender.

Bergkamp showed perfect composure in the goal against Argentina, but it's thanks to Frank Deboer lobbing a perfectly weighed ball to him from Holland's own half of the field.

Bergkamp is a Arsenal legend, undoubtedly.

not to mention...he's phobia of heights....
his goal against argentina was among the best in history...controlled a long pass using right leg...then dummy a defender using right leg...then kick the ball into the goal using right leg....one-legged goal! hehe

the legend.....

I love his ball control skills..

The goal that stands out to me is the one where he lobbed the ball over his shoulder with his back to goal, totally dumbfounding Dabizas before slotting the ball past given.

he is oe of arsenal great players, his skill and very fast and sharp in front of goal. btw i guess TS should discussed i Arsenal's thread

I remember that goal very well as well. When I first saw it I thought he fluked it but on the replays you could see he clearly meant it. Class!

is ok share it around....bergkamp does not only belong to arsenal anyway....
nice compilation....nice song too....dun stop me now!!!
ahaha totally a great great player in his era...

Bergkamp to me epitomises the role of a 2nd striker, much like Jari Litmanen. Both were/are excellent marksmen from 20 - 25 yards and both could pass the ball really well. These days 2nd strikers are mostly diminutive and often paired together with a bigger centre forward. Creating chances comes 2nd to latching onto knockdowns and supporting their bigger colleague.

wow nicholas....i didnt know ur a fan of bergkamp also...thanks for the books and the awesome clip!!

one hell of a legend.
his class is permanent. he is good in juggling the ball too.
but i wonder why he has flight phobia?
i heard he crashed 2 times and survived. izzit true?

yah, he is a great player... a legend...

he can't fly with plane... ahahha he only take bus/train even to other country

My Idol since I was a kid, true footballer...True great fan would recognise him as great player that ever exist...The like of him, van basten, johann cruff, always makes me rated holland player higher....

salute

if you are the true BPL or Football fan... i bet that you remember the 1st goal on the video (vs newcastle)... its very classy goal from mr dennis bergkamp...

yeah his phobia towards height is pretty well known...thats why u wont see him play in places that cannot be reach by land or sea

i guess we can't call him the flying dutchman then
is there any other player similar to his style of play today?

non-flying dutchman.
his ball control and composure is kinda like van persie.his is better ofcourse
RVP is too agressive comparing to him

for all the credits given 2 him, i think he's still quite underrated. He's jst so complete! superb vision n passing range. incredible composure n killing instinct, out of the world technique n best of all, extremely down to earth and a committed family man.