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The English Premier League is the most entertaining league in the world, period! Ever since its inception, the majestic league has been home to some of the greatest players of all time. These players belong to a superior breed of footballers who have had the opportunity to grace the field in a Premier League fixture.
What amazes the whole world is the secret behind Premier League's vast fanbase. The question is what really makes the EPL so good? Why do we stick to our chairs whenever a Premier League fixture is being played? What makes us go mad for the English? What really sets them apart? The answer to all this is the intensity and the intensity is brought by the world-class players.
Over the years, players from around the globe have provided the goods to make the top tier league in English football magnificently great. Numerous nations account for being the home of Premier League legends, a feat that is truly commendable.
When talking about nations and their players in the Premier League, one country stands apart as being a supreme importer of talent to England.
That country is The Netherlands! Dutchmen have showcased a great zeal for glory and it is their immense on-field potential accompanied by their noteworthy records that bring us to this list of 10 greatest Dutchmen to ever play in the Premier League:
#10 Daley Blind
Whenever the subject of versatility arises, Daley Blind is sure to be mentioned. The Dutch player has been deployed as a left back, centre back, right back as well as a defensive midfielder in his career so far. Blind has even shown his goalscoring abilities in the Premier League, often rescuing Manchester United from positions of crisis.
Talking about his versatility, it is fair to say that Blind has succeeded in all positions he has been asked to pay and his quality to adapt wherever asked to play is a major reason that managers love to have Daley Blind in their side.
Blind representedManchester United for four years but now plies his trade at Ajax. The Dutchman made 90 league appearances for the Red Devils and became a genuine fan favourite in a period of crisis for Manchester United courtesy of his spirited display on the field and being able to fill in wherever wanted.
Though there weren't any Premier League medals to boast but Blind's presence in this list is entirely due to his tremendous footballing abilities.
#9 Rafael van der Vaart
Early in his career, van der Vaart was often compared to the legendary Johan Cruyff courtesy of his playmaking abilities. An appreciation like that doesn't come easy as Cruyff is often considered as one of the greatest players of all time.
Rafael was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 2010 from Real Madrid and the Dutchman impressed the White Hart Lane devotees with his skilful display and a knack for providing a moment of magic every now and then.
The Dutchman is famously remembered by Tottenham fans for his blistering performances against arch-rivals Arsenal, a tie which often brought out the best of him!
Over the years van der Vaart has played for many clubs but it was at Tottenham that he really flourished. His career with the London club wasn't a really successful one in terms of trophies but his overall display on the field for the Spurs is still acknowledged by the fans worldwide.
#8 Dirk Kuyt
Ever since the inception of the English Premier League, many players have donned the famous Liverpool shirt but very few have had the same urge, the level of intensity and a commendable passion like that of Dirk Kuyt.
Kuyt spent almost 6 years at Anfield, during which he became a genuine fan favourite courtesy of his dynamic style of play.
Kuyt was often appreciated for his impressive set piece qualities and was a trusted penalty taker for the Kops. The Dutchman famously scored a hattrick against Liverpool's arch-rivals, Manchester United and was also the scorer of the extra time goal at Wembley which won Liverpool the 2011 league cup!
Kuyt was deservingly named as the Dutch Player of the Year in 2006 which earned him a well-deserved move to Liverpool and rest, as they say, are some majestic moments of brilliance.
#7 Virgil Van Dijk
The rock solid Liverpool centre-back was possibly the best signing for Liverpool in January 2018. Van Dijk belongs to a rare breed of defenders who apart from being tremendous sweepers, are equally impressive on the ball as well.
Van Dijk added the much-needed stability to the Liverpool back line and has been one of Premier League's star performers ever since he debuted in the most enticing football league of the world. The daunting Dutchman was awarded the captaincy of the national side by Ronald Koeman in 2018.
The former Southampton man has impressed critics worldwide with his all-around display and the Liverpool fans are in awe of the dutchman's dynamic playing style.
Van Dijk even helped Liverpool reach the Champions League final in 2018 where they were beaten by the mighty Real Madrid.
Over the years, there have been many great defenders to have had the opportunity to don the famous Liverpool shirt and Van Dijk will surely go down as one of the finest defenders to have ever played at Anfield.
#6 Arjen Robben
Known for his dribbling skills and crossing abilities, Arjen Robben has played as a left or right sided winger. His game is often termed as “he can beat defenders at the drop of a hat,” Robben played football for influential clubs- Groningen, PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Robben being a crucial player was injured during the 2004/05 season and had to sit out of Chelsea’s title run but kicked in 6 goals for Chelsea’s second consecutive Premier League Championship.
The Dutchman then signed for Real Madrid for 5 years and proved pivotal for many Real Madrid matches including winning LaLiga 2007. Moving to Bayern Munich, Robben scored his first hat trick in 2010. He was also nominated for Ballon d'Or award for 13 goals in 17 appearances.
Arjen at the most important time scored in the 89th minute to help Bayern lift the 2012 UEFA Champions League. He was announced as the man of the match by UEFA.
With speed and creativity, his gaming style can be contrived from the statement- “to stop him, you have to double him.” Awarded with Premier League player of the month, Kicker Man of the year and Dutch Sportsman of the year, Arjen is one of kind, a rare blend of exceptional potential and a killer mindset! The world will miss one hell of a footballer once the Dutchman retires.
#5 Jaap Stam
The influential centre-back from Holland would have been on a much a higher position in this list had the Dutchman stayed for few more years in the Premier League.
The former AC Milan defender played for the English giants, Manchester United for almost 3 years and it fair to say the red devils were lucky enough to attain the services of the Dutchman.
The mighty centre-back won 3 straight league titles and was even part of the legendary team of 1999 which managed to win a historic treble, a feat no other English team has ever managed to achieve since then.
Stam was known to be a fiery head player who was a nightmare for the forwards. The rock-solid defender left Manchester United too soon and his departure wasn't taken very well by the Manchester United supporters considering the fact that Stam was arguably the best centre-back during that time.
With all that, Stam will always be remembered as one of the greatest foreign exports to ever play in the English Premier League.
#4 Ruud Van Nistelrooy
The 4th highest goal scorer in UEFA Champions League, Ruud van Nistelrooy is popularly known for his prolific goal scoring and as an opportunist in front of goal. He has played as a striker for several clubs- Manchester United, Real Madrid, Hamburger SV and Malaga.
Playing for Manchester United, Nistelrooy was the Premier League Player of the season with three hat tricks as United won the in 2002-03. This was followed by an FA Cup victory in 2004, where he hit a brace, advancing the name of the club in the books of history.
In the end, he finished with 95 Premier League goals in just 150 games for the Red Devils, winning the league once during the 2002/03 season.
The well-rounded centre-forward is involved in a charity organization which serves and protects the rights of children and is currently working as the manager of PSV youth team.
#3 Robin van Persie
With “football is where my creativity comes out”, Robin van Persie is Netherlands' all-time top scorer. Playing as a forward with an exceptional ball control, he has been a part of many clubs like Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahce. Being one of the talented players, the Dutchman has also played alongside Henry Thierry as a second striker up front.
Starting his career at 16 at Feyenoord, Van Persie experienced assaults by hooligans and clashes with the manager. Nevertheless, he scored 8 goals in 28 appearances and Feyenoord finished as runner-up in the KNVB Cup.
He signed up for Arsenal and stayed with the club for 8 years. With his goal scoring form and audacious strikes, he won the FA Cup and FA Community Shield with the Gunners. Scoring 132 goals, he overtook Bergkamp and became Arsenal’s 8th all-time top scorer.
After a desire to win trophies, van Persie made a controversial switch to Arsenal's hated rivals Manchester United in 2012. His decision was immediately vindicated as he won the Premier League in his first season with the Red Devils, finishing as the top scorer in the league.
When van Persie left United to join Fenerbache in 2015, his Premier League record stood at 144 goals scored in 280 appearances.
#2 Edwin van der Sar
Considered as on the of the best goalkeepers of all time, van der Sar set the league record by not conceding a single goal for 1,311 minutes. Popularly known as the Flying Dutchman for his slender frame and amazing shot-stopping abilities, he spent his career in four well-established clubs like Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United.
Regarded as a sweeper-keeper throughout his career, Edwin began with Ajax where he came out as a beneficial factor for the team and helped win 1991–92 UEFA Cup and the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League for which he was crowned with Dutch Football Goalkeeper of the Year.
Since then, Manchester United had eyes on him but he chose the Italian club Juventus where he finished as runners-up twice in the league. In 2001, the Dutch keeper joined newboys Fulham where he made his league against future employees Manchester United.
The Flying Dutchman received immense success and accomplishment after joining the Red Devils as he helped them secure 4 Premier League titles along with the League Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
His career at Manchester United included 21 clean sheets and a record of 1,311 minutes without conceding in the league. An excellent goalkeeper with excellent positional sense, Van der Sar captained United as a farewell treat in 2011. Its quality and serenity whenever we talk about Edwin who currently works as the chief executive officer at Ajax.
#1 Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp is well known for scoring the best ever goal in the Premier League era against Newcastle in 2002. He was quick, technically gifted with dribbling ability and an eye for the improbable. Bergkamp has been a part of three reputed clubs- Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal. He played a very important role in assisting goals rather than scoring them himself.
Dennis came through Ajax's youth system. There, he was voted as the Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1992 and 1993 for scoring 122 goals in 239 matches for his hometown club. The Dutchman then chose Inter Milan and his first season was his way to perfection for being the top goal scorer in the UEFA Cup which was ingeniously won by Ajax.
Due to the defensive style of the Italian League, the Dutchman failed to truly show his true colours which prompted Arsenal to swoop in for the charismatic Dutchman. From 1995, after a period of decline, Arsenal returned to the top with Bergkamp leading the side for the next 11 years.
Arsenal, after the arrival of Bergkamp, won 3 Premier League titles and 4 FA Cups and along with Thierry Henry formed a devastating combination for the Gunners.
