Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has labelled Liverpool striker Luis Suarez as a good role-model for children, despite his controversial ways on the football field.
The Uruguayan has been banned and fined on numerous occasions for biting players and also for being racist towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
Bergkamp, who is now an assistant manager at Ajax, watched Suarez develop through the ranks at the Dutch club and he has surprised many by making comments about him and admitting that he is a good role-model, despite his controversial ways.
‘Everything is done for the kids now. It is a problem,’ said Bergkamp. ‘They are picked up from school by mini-vans, the food is there, the teaching is there. How can they develop themselves if everything is done for them?
‘We’ve got players in the first team now who have come through and are used to playing a certain style. As soon as it’s a little bit different, it’s “Oh no, I don’t know what to do!”
‘You could see the difference with Luis Suarez. Of course, maybe you wouldn’t agree with the things he did, but he was always trying to create something, always thinking “How do I get the best out of this situation? Do I have to pull the shirt of the defender to get to him? Do I get out of position to control the ball?”’
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
