Dutch League Top Scorers Who Moved to the Premier League: Hit or Miss?
- Imagine Sport
- Jan 26
- 7 min read
The Eredivisie has long been considered a fertile ground for emerging footballing talent, with the league regularly producing some of the world’s most exciting players. In particular, the league's top scorers have caught the eye of Premier League clubs, with many making the switch across the English Channel in search of greater challenges and rewards. But, as with any transfer, not all journeys have led to success. Over the years, we've seen Dutch league top scorers shine brightly in England, while others have flamed out. So, what’s the verdict on these transfers? Are the Eredivisie’s top scorers a reliable source for Premier League goals, or is it a game of hit and miss?
The Hit List: Dutch Scorers Who Found Success in England
Some players who topped the Eredivisie's scoring charts were able to replicate their prolific form in the Premier League, making a lasting impact and cementing their legacies as some of the best to play in England. Let’s look at the players who were hits.
1. Dennis Bergkamp (Ajax, 1992/93)
When Dennis Bergkamp left Inter Milan to join Arsenal in 1995, the Dutch forward was already an established star in his homeland. He had been Ajax’s top scorer in the 1992/93 Eredivisie season, and after a mixed spell in Italy with Inter Milan, he joined Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal.
While his time at Inter Milan was underwhelming, Bergkamp found his true home at Arsenal. Over 11 seasons, he became one of the Premier League's most iconic players, with his exquisite technical ability, vision, and goalscoring prowess. He played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s "Invincibles" season of 2003/04, contributing both goals and assists in a team that went unbeaten throughout the league campaign. His transformation from Ajax’s top scorer to a Premier League legend makes him one of the ultimate success stories for Dutch players making the leap.
2. Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, 2000/01)
Few Dutch strikers have left a mark on the Premier League like Ruud van Nistelrooy did. After finishing as the Eredivisie’s top scorer in the 2000/01 season, van Nistelrooy made a high-profile move to Manchester United.
Van Nistelrooy’s time at Old Trafford is the stuff of legend. Over five seasons, he scored an incredible 150 goals in 219 appearances for United, helping the club win three Premier League titles and earning the Premier League Golden Boot for his clinical finishing. His goalscoring exploits weren’t confined to England either, as he also went on to conquer La Liga with Real Madrid, securing the Spanish Golden Boot in the process. Van Nistelrooy’s dual Golden Boot triumphs in two of Europe’s most competitive leagues speak volumes about his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
3. Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord, 2005/06)
Dirk Kuyt was never quite the same kind of clinical marksman as Bergkamp or van Nistelrooy, but his industrious style and work rate earned him plenty of admirers. After finishing as the Eredivisie's top scorer in 2005/06, Kuyt made the move to Liverpool in 2006. While he may not have been a prolific striker in the traditional sense, Kuyt’s versatility and ability to play across multiple attacking positions made him a valuable asset for Rafael Benítez’s Liverpool.
Though Kuyt only scored 71 goals in 285 appearances for Liverpool, his efforts were integral to the club's success during his tenure, including their 2007 Champions League run. His never-say-die attitude and penchant for scoring important goals, especially in key matches, made him a fan favorite at Anfield. Kuyt’s work ethic, combined with his ability to contribute to the team in various ways, made him an important cog in Liverpool’s attacking machinery, and while he was less prolific than others, his contribution to the team’s success cannot be understated.
4. Luis Suárez (Ajax, 2009/10)
Luis Suárez’s time in the Eredivisie may have been relatively short-lived, but it was incredibly impactful. After finishing as the top scorer in Holland in 2009/10, Suárez earned a move to Liverpool, where he quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most electrifying players.
Suárez was nothing short of sensational for Liverpool, bagging goals, assists, and dominating opposition defences with his unrelenting style of play. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2013/14 season, with 31 goals, and was named PFA Player of the Year for his performances. After leaving for Barcelona in 2014, he continued his success, winning numerous La Liga titles and a Champions League, but his time in the Premier League remains one of the most exciting spells ever witnessed in English football.
The Miss List: Dutch Scorers Who Fell Short in the Premier League
Of course, not every top scorer from the Eredivisie has been able to reproduce their form in the Premier League. Several high-profile names arrived in England with big expectations, only to fail to live up to them. These are the players who were considered “misses.”
1. Jari Litmanen (Ajax, 1993/94)
Jari Litmanen, a master of technique and intelligence, was one of Europe’s most highly regarded players in the early 1990s. After topping the Eredivisie’s scoring charts in 1993/94 with Ajax, via a spell at Barcelona, he made a switch to Liverpool in 2001. While his time at Ajax had seen him develop into a world-class attacking midfielder and playmaker, his career in England was short-lived and somewhat underwhelming.
Litmanen struggled with injuries during his time at Liverpool, and later with Fulham and though he showed glimpses of his quality, he never quite settled. The Finnish forward was a cult figure at Ajax but couldn't find the same impact at Anfield. His time in England was a missed opportunity to showcase his true potential and class.
2. Luc Nilis (PSV Eindhoven, 1994/95)
Luc Nilis is an example of a striker whose Premier League move ended in tragedy. After being the top scorer in the Eredivisie in the mid-90s, Nilis joined Aston Villa in 2000. However, Nilis’s career was cut short by a horrific injury — a broken leg — which ended his time in England before it could truly take off. He had a handful of appearances for Villa before his injury, but the tragic turn of events meant his career in England never got the chance to flourish.
3. Mateja Kežman (PSV Eindhoven, 2000/01)
Mateja Kežman was an exceptional goal scorer in the Eredivisie, finishing as the league's top scorer in the 2000/01 season with PSV Eindhoven. However, his move to Chelsea in 2004 proved to be a disappointment. While Kežman was a lethal striker in Holland, he struggled in the Premier League, scoring just four goals in 25 appearances during his first and only season at Stamford Bridge. His time at Chelsea was marred by inconsistency, and he was eventually shipped off to Fenerbahçe in Turkey after just one season.
4. Afonso Alves (Heerenveen, 2006/07)
Afonso Alves was another player who made the jump from the Eredivisie to the Premier League after a prolific season. After finishing as the league's top scorer in 2006/07, the Brazilian forward moved to Middlesbrough. However, his time in England was far from the dream he had hoped for. Alves only managed 13 goals in 47 appearances for the club, which was underwhelming given his previous form in Holland. He failed to replicate his Eredivisie success, and his stint in England ended quietly.
5. Wilfried Bony (Vitesse, 2013/14)
Wilfried Bony’s time in the Premier League had mixed results. After finishing as the Eredivisie’s top scorer in 2013/14 with Vitesse, Bony moved to Swansea City, where he enjoyed a solid first season. He scored 26 goals in 54 appearances for the Welsh club, showcasing his abilities. However, when he moved to Manchester City in 2015, his form drastically dipped. Bony struggled to find the back of the net, and his time at City was forgettable. His form at Swansea earned him the move to a bigger club, but the switch to the Premier League’s elite proved to be too much for the Ivorian striker.
6. Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven, 2014/15)
Memphis Depay was one of the most hyped Dutch talents to move to the Premier League, having been the top scorer in the Eredivisie during the 2014/15 season. Manchester United made a big-money move to bring him in, but Depay’s time at Old Trafford was largely disappointing. Despite flashes of his potential, Depay struggled with consistency and failed to justify the hype. After a difficult couple of seasons, he was sold to Lyon, where he rediscovered his form. His inability to find consistent success in the Premier League, however, places him on the “miss” list.
Can the Eredivisie Still Be a Reliable Source of Premier League Talent?
The pattern is unmistakable: while many players who top the Eredivisie scoring charts find success in the Premier League, others struggle to make an impact. The Eredivisie, known for nurturing attacking talent, is often characterized by its more open, free-flowing style of play, which contrasts sharply with the physicality and high-intensity demands of the Premier League. This shift can be difficult for some players to navigate. However, there are notable exceptions—players like Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Luis Suárez—who not only adapted but went on to become legends in England’s top flight. On the other hand, several players with strong Eredivisie pedigrees have failed to make their mark in the Premier League, including Vincent Janssen, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Pierre van Hooijdonk, Mounir El Hamdaoui, Luuk de Jong, Steven Berghuis, and Sebastian Haller. Between them, they managed a mere 11 Premier League goals, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such transitions.
A New Hope?
As for the current crop of top scorers in the Eredivisie, one name stands out: Sem Steijn. The 20-year-old forward from FC Twente has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 15 goals in 18 appearances, and he’s likely to attract the attention of Premier League clubs. The question remains: Can he break the trend and become one of the few to make a successful transition?
Steijn’s all-round play, and his eye for goal have drawn comparisons to some of the Premier League’s best. However, it’s impossible to predict whether he’ll adapt to the English game in the same way as the league’s biggest success stories. Only time will tell if he can take his Eredivisie form and make it work in England.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Eredivisie can be a reliable source of attacking talent, it’s no guarantee of success in the Premier League. The Dutch league has its share of hits and misses, and the transition from one league to the other is never straightforward. However, the allure of the Premier League continues to tempt Eredivisie's top scorers, with some undoubtedly capable of making their mark—if they can adjust to the demands of English football.