Arsenal defender William Saliba has admitted that he’s a big fan of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, with the French international saying he still watches the centre-back.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old revealed that he is an admirer of his Premier League rival, with Saliba even making the claim that Van Dijk was the best defender in the world for the best part of three years.
The Dutch international has been key for Liverpool ever since arriving from Southampton for a then-world-record fee for a defender, with Van Dijk guiding the Reds to the UEFA Champions League and Premier League title, as well as a domestic double last year.
Indeed, Saliba looking up to the Liverpool defender is perhaps no real surprise given the Arsenal star’s age. Yet with the French centre-back one of the Premier League’s breakout stars last season, it’s clear that the former Saint-Etienne star is seeking motivation from the right players.
Saliba said when asked about Van Dijk: “I still watch him! I really like his quality in one-against-one, his calmness, his composure and his long balls as well. He has everything and, for me, he was a good defender to learn from. I think he was, for two or three years, the best defender in the world.”
Saliba could easily surpass Van Dijk in the next two seasons
Saliba himself will be the first to admit that he has some way to go before being able to compare himself directly to Van Dijk. Yet based on the defender’s first year in the Premier League, it won’t be long before the 22-year-old is at the level that made the Liverpool star such a force for Jurgen Klopp.
As we know, Saliba was key in Arsenal’s title bid last season. And with the defender only getting better, there’s no telling how good the Paris-born talent can become under Mikel Arteta, with Van Dijk’s achievements firmly in the Frenchman’s sights.
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