William Saliba, at 23, reminds Virgil van Dijk of himself
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk stated that Arsenal's William Saliba reminds him of his old-self, while praising the 23-year-old defender.
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Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk praised Arsenal star William Saliba. (via Transfermarkt)
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk made an honest assessment about Arsenal center-back William Saliba, while comparing himself to the Frenchman. Van Dijk surprisingly stated that the 23-year-old defender reminds him of his younger footballing days.
William Saliba has experienced a meteoric rise in his stakes over the last three years. His presence at the back for Arsenal, who signed him back in 2019 from St Etienne, helped the Gunners end with the best-defensive record in the last two seasons.
More interestingly, Saliba became the first outfield player to play every minute of an EPL season for Arsenal. Owing to his recent successes, there have been comparisons drawn between him and Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk, who has been a seasoned EPL star.
The Dutchman, on Rio Ferdinand‘s podcast, named Saliba as the defender he has been impressed with the most, while also claiming that he was nowhere near the Frenchman’s level at the age of 23. Van Dijk exclaimed that the Arsenal center-back has been making good steps forward in his career, also praising his brilliant possession-holding skills.
He stated that he loves to watch other defenders playing, often taking up many of their moves, and implementing those during matches.
Obviously, (William) Saliba’s making very good steps at the moment. He’s the first one I just have in mind now. He’s a solid one… I think, if I’m honest, when I was that age, I was nowhere near where he was today.
Virgil van Dijk on the Rio Ferdinand podcast (H/T Goal)
?✨ Virgil van Dijk on William Saliba: "If I’m honest, I was nowhere near where Saliba was at his age".
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 1, 2024
"Saliba is making good steps at the moment, this is very clear. He reminds me of myself", told @rioferdy5. pic.twitter.com/L2C9HecSpm
Both Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba were named in the EPL Team of the Year last season. Meanwhile, William Saliba, in a previous interview, had surprisingly picked Ruben Dias over Van Dijk, keeping in mind the last few seasons.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot delivers Virgil van Dijk’s contract updates
Arne Slot will be faced by a new set of problems at the end of the season, as three of Liverpool’s important players will be out of contract by then. This includes club forward and one of the most prolific attackers in the EPL Mohamed Salah, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and skipper Virgil van Dijk.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool’s match against Brighton, Slot stated that the contract situation could become a problem if players don’t perform well consistently. He informed that there have been discussions over Van Dijk’s contract situation. However, the Dutchman stated that he hasn’t been involved in those talks, and that it involves the club owners.
There are ongoing discussion with the people Virgil says he has to talk to, and that’s not me as you know. I talk to him about other things. Virgil is completely right that he doesn’t know what his future.
Arne Slot on Virgil van Dijk (via Sky Sports)
It remains to be seen what lies ahead for the 33-year-old Liverpool skipper. Meanwhile, Mo Salah is being linked with a move out of the club, to the Saudi Pro League, while Alexander-Arnold is being considered as a Real Madrid transfer target.
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Siddhartha Roy
(700 Articles Published)