Arsenal star William Saliba and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk are the two best defenders in the world.
The Dutchman, for years, was the undisputed number one, but Saliba has come into the conversation over the last two years.
The Arsenal number two has been unbelievable since the start of the 2022/23 season. He has barely put a foot wrong and is the best defender on the planet in many people’s eyes.
Van Dijk has now had his say on what he thinks about Saliba.
What Virgil van Dijk has said about Arsenal star William Saliba
Van Dijk has been incredible for Liverpool since he joined them from Southampton.
The Dutch international is arguably the biggest reason why the Reds were so successful under Jurgen Klopp, and he will go down as a legend of the club.
Van Dijk had no real competition when people were discussing the best centre-back in the world a few years ago. Saliba has changed that.
The Arsenal man’s performances over the last two seasons have put him up there with the best on the planet – some, like Antonio Rudiger, even think Saliba is above everyone else.
Van Dijk was asked about defenders who he rates very highly, and the first and only name out of his mouth was ‘Saliba’.
To add to that, Van Dijk also admitted that when he was 23 years old, he was ‘nowhere near’ as good as Saliba is now.
Van Dijk said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “Obviously, Saliba is making very good steps at the moment. Yeah, he’s on the first one I just have in mind now. You know, he’s a solid one, you know, I think in possession he’s doing a good job.”
Ferdinand then asked Van Dijk if he sees similarities between himself and the Arsenal man. Van Dijk replied: “Yeah, maybe.
“I think if I’m honest, when I was that age, I was nowhere near where he is today. And obviously, that’s the beauty of football as well.”
READ MORE: Carl Jenkinson ends Virgil van Dijk vs William Saliba debate with definitive verdict
Van Dijk’s comments on Saliba prove one thing
The Saliba vs Van Dijk debate will continue for the rest of this season and beyond, but the Liverpool captain’s comments make one thing very clear.
Van Dijk was honest enough to admit that Saliba is levels above where he used to be at the same age.
The fact that Saliba is now, at the very least, on the same level as Van Dijk proves that he will leave a bigger legacy in football than the Netherlands star.
If he’s so good now at the age of 23, imagine how incredible Saliba will be when he reaches his prime – he will be levels above where Van Dijk was at his peak.
That settles the argument for us.
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