Is Virgil van Dijk the best centre back the Premier League has ever seen? That's certainly the theory one Liverpool fan has as he's 'proved' it with his thread of stats.
The Dutchman has been one of the most integral parts of Liverpool's resurgence from a team challenging to be in the top four to walking away with the title, with a lead of 22 points currently and helped them win the Champions League last season.
Since his £75 million move in January 2018 the former Southampton centre back has been considered one of the best of all time in the Premier League, and came second in the Ballon d'Or, with Nemanja Vidic often considered the man who stands in his way to taking the crown.
One Liverpool fan has taken exception to that idea and started a Twitter thread to dispel the idea:
Thread on why Virgil van Dijk and in his prime ability is comfortably better than Nemanja Vidic: pic.twitter.com/G1DgC48UK8
— Tommy (@TLister77) February 14, 2020
Discipline. This is one of Vidic’s biggest weaknesses. His lack of pace and probably less intelligence mean he was usually a rash Neanderthal. At 28/29 (same age) He was commiting 1.3 fouls PG in comparison to VvD’s 0.4.
— Tommy (@TLister77) February 14, 2020
Virgil van Dijk is also much better on the ball and contributing to the overall team. In 2008/09, around Vidic’s prime, he completed 1676 passes in 2984 minutes. VvD has already completed 2051 in 700 less minutes, with a higher pass completion % of 88.74.
— Tommy (@TLister77) February 14, 2020
Virgil’s overall impact on the team is immense. Although also having great players around him, his impact is clear to see, stats regardless.
— Tommy (@TLister77) February 14, 2020
Stats: Before Virgil #LFC would concede 1.2 P/G. After his arrival that quickly changed to 0.72 (With Karius etc..)
Lastly, Virgil is a more complete player. He could probably play anywhere at a 7/10. He’s definitely a better goalscoring defender. Virgil has 12 goals in 144 PL appearances. (Recently against United, lol.) Vidic only scored 15 in 211 appearances.
— Tommy (@TLister77) February 14, 2020
Virgil coming 2nd in the Ballon d’Or, in one of the closest results ever, to the GOAT (with some dodgy votes) is more than proof enough. Vidic was never anywhere near this level individually. Anyone that still disagrees clearly can’t look past their obsession.
— Tommy (@TLister77) February 14, 2020
End of thread. pic.twitter.com/MHe8YVRuSv
During his spell in the Premier League, between 2006 and 2014, the Serbian defender won the Premier League title with United on five occasions.
He also won the League Cup three times as well as the Champions League and FIFA World Club Championship whilst building up a partnership with Rio Ferdinand that is well remembered.
The pair were part of Edwin van der Saar's run of not conceding for 14 games in-a-row, still a league record, during their title winning run in 2018/19.
And last year one United fan tried to 'prove' that their man was actually the better defender than Van Dijk with his own stats.
There's no doubt that both men were world class defenders during their time in the Premier League and Van Dijk may even be the better player between the two.
Who do you think deserves to be named as the best ever?
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/rivalries-liverpool-fan-proves-virgil-van-dijk-is-better-than-nemanja-vidic-20200215
0 Comments