Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has made a candid admission about Arsenal defender William Saliba, acknowledging that the young Frenchman is already performing at a level he himself had not reached at the same age. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, van Dijk praised Saliba’s rapid development and his impressive performances for Arsenal.
Van Dijk, who has been widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world since his move to Liverpool in 2018, admitted that Saliba’s current form is beyond what he achieved when he was 23 years old. “If I’m honest, when I was that age, I was nowhere near where he is today,” van Dijk said. “And obviously, that’s the beauty of football as well.”
Saliba, who joined Arsenal in 2019 but spent the next three seasons on loan in France, has quickly become a vital part of Mikel Arteta’s squad since his integration into the first team in the 2022-23 season. His consistent performances have earned him a place in the Premier League Team of the Year for the last two seasons.
Van Dijk’s admission highlights the exceptional talent and potential of Saliba, who is already being compared to some of the best defenders in the world. The Dutchman also noted that he enjoys watching other defenders and learning from them, which speaks to his respect for Saliba’s abilities.
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