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Thread on why Virgil Van Dijk is the greatest Defender of all time
NOTE: I’m basing this debate SOLELY on ability, a lot of defenders have a much bigger trophy cabinet than Virgil. They’ve also played on the biggest stage for longer than Virgil but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have more ability than him. If you disagree, fine
Longevity is an important part of a player’s career but imo it shouldn’t play a huge part. Quality>Quantity. Sometimes you just have to respect greatness when you see it
There’s not an attribute Virgil lacks which is needed in a defender and add to that he’s the best in most of these attributes and one of the best in a few. Some attributes that great cbs lacked
Maldini - Physique
Ramos - Discipline
Pique - Pace
Nesta - Physique
Terry - Pace
Maldini - Physique
Ramos - Discipline
Pique - Pace
Nesta - Physique
Terry - Pace
Baresi - Physique
Vidic - Passing
Puyol - Pace
Zanetti - Physique
Another point to note is that Virgil plays in a modern high line with two attacking fullbacks that get caught quiet often yet he’s producing unreal defensive numbers and rarely gets caught out.
Vidic - Passing
Puyol - Pace
Zanetti - Physique
Another point to note is that Virgil plays in a modern high line with two attacking fullbacks that get caught quiet often yet he’s producing unreal defensive numbers and rarely gets caught out.
Virgil might not be as good of a reader of the game as Maldini or as good of a leader as Puyol or even as much as a threat in the box as Ramos but every single defender I mentioned had a weakness.
Virgil’s game reading is still out of this world, he still lead Liverpool’s defense from the worst in the top 6 to the best in the world, he’s still a huge threat in the box even if he’s not on par with Ramos.
Every single attribute of his is outstanding, his defensive technique is out of this world, he can score goals, he can pass the ball well, he’s quick and above all that he is built like an NBA player. Basically if you combined every great cb you have Virgil
Virgil was the first defender since Cannavaro to challenge for the ballon d’Or and he had a fair case for winning it. He won the Champions League, was the UEFA player of the year and was the Premier player of the year (first defender since John Terry) along with numerous awards
Losing out to one of Messi’s best seasons is no shame in itself and add to that it was the closest Ballon d’Or race in years. Virgil’s case as one of the greats was truly solidified because of his flawless 2019 and he hasn’t declined in the slightest in 2020
Chelsea’s 04/05 defence is one of the best of all time and rightly so conceding just 15 league goals. Liverpool last season conceded just 7 less in a much more attacking system with a worse DM, RB, LB, Second CB, and GK defensively. Surely you all can see where I’m getting at
Goals conceded stat isn’t everything I agree but it gives you some context of how good someone is
His composure is his best attribute for me. I have never seen a defender this composed on the ball and in 1v1 situations. He barely ever breaks into a sweat and when you watch him it’s almost like he isn’t trying
His heatmap vs Crystal Palace is practically that of a defensive midfielder. Playing in a high line is one thing but this is insanity. Not a lot of centre backs are comfortable playing this high
Another example of Van Dijk’s ability on the ball which a lot of great centre backs lack. This is phenomenal in the highest order
His game reading is phenomenal, you can see it clear as day when you watch him. And of course we all know his historic dribbled past stat.
An example of Virgil’s expert game reading
Spurs have a 2v1 and Virgil knows that if Sissoko plays it to Son, it’s over so he blocks the option and lets sissoko go on till the end. Then he makes the tackle and sissoko is forced to shoot on his weaker foot
Spurs have a 2v1 and Virgil knows that if Sissoko plays it to Son, it’s over so he blocks the option and lets sissoko go on till the end. Then he makes the tackle and sissoko is forced to shoot on his weaker foot
Even in the rare case that the opponent does beat Virgil, it‘s useless because he will just use his pace to win the ball back. He’s a cheat code, a genuine freak
Virgil’s physicality is out of this world. A lot of great defenders can’t keep up or outmuscle an insane athlete like Traore, here’s 6’4, 200lbs Van Dijk doing it with ease
Virgil isn’t just a stat monster either. He’s an eye test god as well. As I said, he’s the most composed defender I have ever seen, wins every header there is, 99% of his tackles are spot on and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing long passers
Don’t forget we are in the dawn of the Pnp era, there’s a reason there aren’t a lot of amazing centre backs in football. Forwards are on steroids and their fitness lasts for the entire 90 minutes. Look at genetic beasts like Adama Traore. Virgil drops 10/10s without even sweating
There’s no way 6’1 Maldini, 5’9 Baresi, and 5’9 Cannavaro boss the Pnp era like Virgil is doing at the moment. And that is no disrespect to them, it’s just that Virgil is a superior athelete
Tactically football is at the highest level it’s ever been. Why do you think people don’t freestyle on the pitch anymore? It’s because they will get exposed against tactically well drilled sides
Liverpool and Man City two of the best teams in the world in the last 3 years are prime examples of managers drilling their tactics well inside their players’ heads and it’s really not easy to defend against such teams especially since both are attacking teams
Forward lines are no longer just strikers, now we have inside forwards and most strikers can do much more than Goalscoring, dropping deep and confusing defenders. Virgil also plays alongside two of the most attacking fullbacks itw yet puts up goat tier numbers
At the end of the day it all boils down to preference, I have provided my point for why I think that Virgil is the greatest and you can disagree with it, I have no problem but he really should be considered among the greats IMO
End of Thread
