Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has made the bold claim that Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is “the best defender that has ever lived.”
Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool for £75 million in 2018, made an immediate impact by helping the team reach the Champions League final in his first season. Subsequently, he led Liverpool to a Premier League title and triumphs in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Many consider him one of the best defenders of his generation, although the title of “best centre-back in Premier League history” is still up for debate, with contenders like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Nemanja Vidic.
Speaking on Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast, the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper explained, “I think for three years in a row, he was the best centre-back in the world. He had a bad injury and is probably still finding his feet from that.
“Virgil van Dijk, peak of his powers, is the best defender that has ever lived. I genuinely believe that. People have just got short memories and the cruciate ligament injury has probably taken a yard of pace off him”
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Van Dijk’s near Ballon d’Or win in 2019, where he narrowly lost to Lionel Messi, reinforced his status as one of the finest defenders. While Van Dijk may not have secured the Ballon d’Or, he claimed the 2019 UEFA Best Player in Europe award and the PFA Player of the Year title the same year.
In recent times, Van Dijk has faced fluctuations in form after returning from a significant ACL injury in 2021. However, his previous performances for Liverpool, leading them to Champions League and Premier League victories, solidifies his legacy as one of the best defenders of the Premier League era. Ben Foster’s claim adds to the ongoing debate about the legacy of Virgil van Dijk.
For now, the Dutchman will be focused on the crucial clash with Greece on Monday October 16. It’s a do-or-die encounter for Netherlands following the defeat to France on Friday night.
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