Dennis Bergkamp training with the Netherlands national team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. (GETTY Images)
Speaking on The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show (h/t Chelsea FC website), former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle revealed that Dennis Bergkamp nearly joined Chelsea instead of Arsenal.
Hoddle was the player/manager of Chelsea from 1993 until 1996. And now, he has revealed how close he came to signing the Arsenal legend during his time at Stamford Bridge.
“Bergkamp was one we got close to. We nearly did it with Ruud [Gullit] coming in at the same time.”
Chelsea signed Dutch icon Ruud Gullit in the summer of 1995 from Sampdoria. Dennis Bergkamp, meanwhile, joined Arsenal from Inter Milan.
Hoddle revealed that the move for the Dutch striker could have happened, but the funds were not made available to him at the time.
“But the funds just weren’t there. It was out of our reach at that time.”
Along with Gullit, Chelsea also Manchester United forward Mark Hughes. Despite some big-name signings, Chelsea finished 11th in the league and went out in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Hoddle left Chelsea to become the manager of England, and Chelsea responded by making Ruud Gullit the player/manager the next season.
It only leaves us to wonder what could have been had Chelsea signed Bergkamp. He went on to score 110 goals and 90 assists in 404 appearances for the Gunners in his 11 seasons there. (h/t Transfermarkt)
In that time, he also won the league thrice, along with 3 FA Cup trophies. However, that’s something from more than two decades ago.
Since the takeover of the club in 2003, the Blues have won 5 league titles, two Europa League titles, and a UEFA Champions League trophy. Funds have also rarely been a problem as the club have spent well in recent years.
Nevertheless, had Chelsea had the same financial backing back in 1995 as they do now, we could have very well had another Dutch legend added in the club’s history books.
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