Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen explains influence Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp had on his career

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Christian Eriksen worked with Dennis Bergkamp during his time with Ajax before he secured a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen has suggested to Sky Sports that Dennis Bergkamp may be one of the main men to thank for his creative abilities, having worked under the Arsenal great while he was at Ajax.

Eriksen has been excellent for Spurs this season, and has proved to be a constant threat for the side ever since he moved to White Hart Lane in 2013.

He is arguably enjoying one of the most fruitful periods of his career to date, with three goals and two assists coming in the top flight this season. And he explained that his creativity certainly has something to do with working with Bergkamp – who, of course, is a hero to their bitter rivals across North London – during their time together at Ajax.

“In my first year at Ajax we had some sessions with Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk,” he told Sky Sports.

“We did this passing drill with a striker from the team. We worked on certain movements, learning how to measure his runs and then passing the ball to exactly the right place at exactly the right moment.

“Even then, you could always see Dennis’s charisma and confidence on the ball. He always knew how to take his first touch and where the ball needed to end up afterwards. I learned a lot from watching him and working with him. It helped me when I made it through to the first team.”

While it is impossible to know just how great an impact Bergkamp had on Eriksen’s career, it must be mentioned that only David Silva and Mesut Ozil have provided more assists in the Premier League than the 40 that Eriksen has contributed since he arrived just over four years ago.

He is undoubtedly a vital player to Mauricio Pochettino, and you would imagine that if Tottenham are build on the promise they have shown in recent years by starting to win trophies, Eriksen will be an integral part of that progression – and it appears that former Gunners great Bergkamp will be one of the main men to thank for that fact.