Virgil Van Dijk

[Rapkun 668]

46 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

How is he better than all of those? He's severely overrated in my opinion. You pay that sort of money for the best of the best, like what we're doing with Sandro. You can't say he's better than CBs who have consistently played in Europe and have started for their NT for years. VVD isn't on their level just yet, he's only really had one really good half of a season in a pretty defensive Southampton system where any good defender would do well. What is he better at than Koscielny, Luiz and Bailly? 

I've watched this guy since he was playing in Holland (I'm Dutch) and Scotland, I've probably seen him more times than you. I'm not saying he's a bad defender, he's a good defender, but he isn't this top 3 defender you guys make him out to be. He hasn't proven any of that over his career so far. 

He never had the chance to play for big clubs like those other defenders. Take a world class player like Mane for instance who was a bit underrated because he played at Southampton, when he moved to Liverpool everyone realized how good he actually was. Same goes for many other players like our own Ngolo Kante. I watch a lot of Southampton and he adjusted to england fairly quick, he's showing his class as the time passes. it's a shame he had that injury.

Koscielny mght be the best CB in england but as I said earlier he's too prone to cause a penalty. David Luiz is a great athlete with a superb ability on the ball but he's bomb waiting to explode. His lack of concentration doesn't make him a reliable defender. Him playing in a back three has a lot to do with his success this season. Bailly is a great athlete but he's too aggressive. It's a miracle he gets away with all the fouls he commits. I think he has a good ability on the ball that is a bit wasted. Makes many mistakes as well. All things he could improve with work and experience though. Now Van Dijk imo has it all: ability to read play, anticipate, cover, good timing in the air, proactivity. He's very comfortable with the ball, often drives with it and distributes well, very cool under pressure. Maybe his only weakness is that he isn't particularly fast but I think his ability to read the game makes up for it. Under Koeman it was mostly a low block so it was impossible to tell. but under Puel they were playing a high line at times and he had no problem playing in transition. He's more than just a defender who sits and watch and when necessary he can play higher and help in attack like every modern defender.

From what I saw from him he's one of best defenders in the country and he's still very young. It's true he hasn't played in europe as of yet, be he possess all the qualities to make it at a top club. He can only get better imo.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

51 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

Nah. Luiz, Azpi, Alderweireld, Koscielny, Bailly are all better. You could also say he isn't even better than guys like Vertonghen, Mustafi, Maria and Kompany he isn't necessarily better than. Half a season of good performances doesn't automatically make you a top 3 defender. 

He had brilliant season 2015/16 and equaly good first half this season until his injury which kept him out for long time. Its not like he had good half of season and then droppped in form. 

Going by 1v1 duels, aerial duels and number of mistakes or how safe they play, Dijk is only behind Azpi and Alderweireld. Indeed Verthongen realy stepped up this season, he was better than Alderweireld in past months. 

Luiz has protection from Azpi and Cahill and althrough he has been realy good this season, he made some mistakes and wasnt realy that good when we played with 4 at back. He is amazing character, leader and fantastic on ball, but still has to convince me that he is out and out reliable defender. If he has another season like 2016/17, that would be great. Kos is good, but has too many brainfarts for my liking. Mustafi is also good but not better than anyone mentioned above. Bailly could become better than Dijk, but not yet. I always rated Kompany highly, but he has been injured far too much to make any kind of judgement. 

And all that said, we can buy only Dijk. To me he is fantastic defender, but that price is huge and he has been injured, which always gives some doubt. If it was last summer, I would have absolutely no complain in signing him. 

Then there is Bonucci, I think there was never an option he will leave or Laporte who is good, young and expensive, and like Dijk not realy proven outside of the league. 

If Dijk plays here the way he played in 2016, we will have hands down best CB in the league IMO. 

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Liverpool have pulled out of the race for Van Dijk, and have moved on to other targets. Player wants Chelsea. [The Times]

 

Chelsea focus on Van Dijk after Juventus close the door on Bonucci move

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/virgil-van-dijk-transfer-news-chelsea-focus-on-southampton-man-after-juventus-close-the-door-on-a3573981.html

[Dimitr 488]

3 minutes ago, xPetrCechx said:

Liverpool have pulled out of the race for Van Dijk, and have moved on to other targets. Player wants Chelsea. [The Times]

 

Chelsea focus on Van Dijk after Juventus close the door on Bonucci move

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/virgil-van-dijk-transfer-news-chelsea-focus-on-southampton-man-after-juventus-close-the-door-on-a3573981.html

Let's do this 

[ChelseaFanUK 1,014]

i never thought there was a way Liverpool could now get him.  They withdrew any interest, apologised hours after the saints complaint...which IMO proved their guilt.

 

Both clubs lose respect and fans will turn.   Cant and wont happen.  Kinda expect him to stay tbh as he has a long deal, but if he goes it wont be to lpool

[mccg 1,528]

Southampton to keep Virgil van Dijk and Cedric Soares after agreement with Mauricio Pellegrino

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12691/10929681/southampton-to-keep-virgil-van-dijk-and-cedric-soares-after-agreement-with-mauricio-pellegrino

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Southampton are refusing to sell any of their top players after agreeing that the likes of Virgil van Dijk would remain at the club. [Sky]

Les Reed (director): "None of those players are for sale. I can't make it any plainer and that's the way we mean to go forward.“ [Sky]

[BlueLyon 9,359]

If the likes of Southampton refuse offers like 60m for van Dijk, PL is gonna get alot tougher. 

[Chelsea4 1,521]

Southampton want 70M for Van Dijk (Matt Law)

Sorry but that's just too much we could get Manolas for just 26M who is just as good.

 

[communicate 2,703]

On 6/29/2017 at 3:48 AM, BlueLyon said:

If the likes of Southampton refuse offers like 60m for van Dijk, PL is gonna get alot tougher. 

I personally do not believe that number. It seems too high. Soton is insane if they keep him with such offer

[the wes 7,212]

10 minutes ago, communicate said:

I personally do not believe that number. It seems too high. Soton is insane if they keep him with such offer

Clubs like of Southampton can afford  to keep their top players cause of the huge TV rights deal all the PL clubs got the only way I can see VVD leaving if he push the move and puts in for a transfer request 

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

It  looks like he will be forced to stay then. Maybe next season.

[zekinjo 449]

Probably means nothing.....

[akgw13 867]

Van Dijk ordered to train alone at Southampton by Pellegrino. Due to toxic atmosphere after he told club he wants to leave. 

[the wes 7,212]

12 minutes ago, akgw13 said:

Van Dijk ordered to train alone at Southampton by Pellegrino. Due to toxic atmosphere after he told club he wants to leave. 

Sure we have Rüdiger now my guess is VVD is forcing a Liverpool move