Virgil van Dijk's undeniably brilliant season has led to some people comparing him to the great defenders of the Premier League era but the stats for Nemanja Vidic 11 years ago suggest the Dutchman is still some way off.
Last year, Van Dijk became the first defender to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award since John Terry managed it in 2005.
It's rare for defenders to come close to winning individual awards because what they do often goes unnoticed and can't always be proved by statistics as easy as goals and assists.
There's no doubt how good Van Dijk has been for Liverpool and he's virtually turned things around for Jurgen Klopp's defence. That has led to some comparing him to the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Nemanja Vidic, some the best centre backs in the Premier League era.
The comparison with some of those greats doesn't sit well with some fans and one Manchester United fan has pointed out that Vidic's stats from the 2008/09 season compared with Van Dijk this year go in the Serbian's favour:
Van Dijk (this season) vs Vidic (2008/09 season) stats. Van Dijk isn’t even the best defender beginning with the letter V, let alone the best defender in PL history. Put some respect on Nemanja Vidic’s name. pic.twitter.com/8k3ngP4W0W
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) April 30, 2019
In the season that is being compared United won the Premier League title from their fierce rivals Liverpool by four points, with Sir Alex Ferguson's team earning 90 points.
The Red Devils' defence only conceded 24 goals in the league and kept a record breaking 14 clean sheets in a row.
In nine seasons at Old Trafford Vidic won the Premier League five times and added three League Cups and the Champions League win in 2008 to his medal collection.
If Van Dijk manages to have a career at Anfield half as good as that when it comes to winning things then Liverpool fans will be very happy with the Dutchman.
Where is Van Dijk on the list of Premier League great defenders?
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-stats-van-dijk-and-nemanja-vidics-prime-seasons-compared-to-settle-debate-20200512
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