Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany has revealed that he believes Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is the Premier League’s greatest ever centre-back, topping the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
Van Dijk signed for a then world record fee for a defender when the Dutchman completed his move from Southampton to Liverpool in January 2018.
The towering defender has gone from strength to strength since the move, with his indomitable displays leading Liverpool to the league’s best defensive record last term, as well as Champions League glory in Madrid in June.
Kompany, who is regarded as an all-time great in the league himself, has divulged that the imposing 28-year-old tops the chart of the best he’s ever seen in England.
Speaking ahead of his testimonial (which ironically the Belgian will miss through injury), Kompany said (via Goal.com): “I would bring it back to Virgil van Dijk, he’s not been on the scene as long as Terry, Ferdinand who have been around for a long time but the signs he’s shown in the last few years.
“He’s shown if he had been around longer he’d have been at the top for a long time. The Liverpool before Van Dijk and after are a completely different setup. I’ll give him that one.”
The comments come not long after van Dijk was awarded the dual accolade of UEFA defender of the year and UEFA player of the year for the 2018-19 season.
The Netherlands international also occupies the favourites position for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award – a distinction that a defender has not won since Italian Fabio Cannavaro scooped the award in 2006.
The Dutchman, meanwhile, has fired a warning shot to all who stand in Liverpool’s way following a blistering start to the new campaign.
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