"Even the game's very best players have to learn from someone. When Jari Litmanen moved to Ajax from Finnish side MyPa as a 21-year-old in 1992, it came following trials at the likes of Dinamo Bucuresti, Leeds United and others and while the raw talent was there, he was far from the finished article. But in Ajax forward Dennis Bergkamp, he had the perfect mentor to help him adapt to a major European league."
"I didn't impress on the first day, but on the second day, Dennis Bergkamp got injured and I played in his position behind the striker. We played an amateur team and won something like 8-1 I scored four, with two assists. After the match, Louis van Gaal asked me if I would be interested in playing for Ajax. Of course, I said yes."
"I was convinced I could do what was expected of me, in my own way, the Finn continues. I knew I wasn't Bergkamp; he was truly special. In the season I played with Dennis, he was chosen as the third-best player in Europe. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. It was fascinating to watch how he controlled the ball, managed space and stayed so calm in front of goal. That year alongside him was really valuable for my development. When he left, I felt ready to make the position my own. My first year was a learning process by the second year, I was able to take off."
Jari Litmanen moved to Ajax from MyPa at age 21 in 1992 after trials with clubs such as Dinamo Bucuresti and Leeds United. He initially failed to impress in training but stepped into Dennis Bergkamp's position after an injury and scored four goals with two assists in an amateur match, prompting Louis van Gaal to recruit him. Litmanen spent a season alongside Bergkamp, learning ball control, spatial management and composure in front of goal. After Bergkamp's departure, Litmanen received the No.10 shirt, accelerated his development, and established himself by his second year.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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