Virgil van Dijk, extensively considered one of many prime defenders of latest years, performed a vital function in Liverpool‘s 2018-19 UEFA Champions League and 2019-20 Premier League titles and continues to purpose for extra success together with his group. Regardless of his accolades, Van Dijk center-back was humble in his reward for considered one of Arsenal’s rising defensive stars.
On talks with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, van Dijk was requested to call a defender at present excelling within the recreation, and he didn’t hesitate to decide on Arsenal’s William Saliba: “Saliba is making excellent steps in the meanwhile, he’s a stable one, in possession he’s doing a very good job… You already know, I feel if I’m trustworthy, after I was that age, I used to be nowhere close to the place he was right now.
Van Dijk went on to debate how finding out elite defenders helps him proceed bettering his personal recreation. “I like to look at different defenders and decide up so many things from them. There’s so many good ball taking part in within the heart half… I positively watch video games specifically on the best stage. You’ll be able to all the time decide up sure issues, but additionally take into consideration that groups are defending another way that we’re defending, so it’s a must to hold that in thoughts too,” Van Dijk stated.
Regardless of his achievements, together with successful PFA Gamers’ Participant of the 12 months, Premier League Participant of the Season, and even competing with Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or, van Dijk emphasised the significance of ongoing progress. “I really feel like at any age you may continue to learn, and I positively nonetheless do this,” he ended.
Saliba was signed to be a part of a younger challenge led by supervisor Mikel Arteta in Arsenal. Regardless of being Premier League’s runners-up final season, the Frenchman will likely be trying ahead to maintain stunning followers and gamers together with his performances.
Saliba’s exceptional kind with Arsenal
Saliba has been pivotal in Arsenal’s resurgence beneath supervisor Mikel Arteta. Integral to the 2023-24 marketing campaign, the younger center-back featured in 50 of Arsenal’s 52 video games, turning into the first Arsenal participant within the Premier League period to play each minute of a league season.
His spectacular kind earned him a spot within the PFA Premier League Workforce of the 12 months alongside teammate Martin Ødegaard. Additionally, at simply 23, Saliba has already set data with the Gunners, turning into the quickest participant in membership historical past to succeed in 50 Premier League wins, attaining the feat in solely 66 appearances.
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