Best Defender in the World: [Player Name] Analysis

Virgil van Dijk is the very best defender in the world. That is what Jaap Stam, who himself once made attackers harmless at a high level, in an interview with the Algemeen Dagblad.

“I think Virgil is the best defender in the world. Nobody is perfect, but with his appearance, physical, head power, answer pass and leading capacities he has the entire package,” says Stam about the captain of Orange and the Dutch national team.

Stam, who himself caused a furore at Manchester United in England, actually does not see weaknesses in the case of Van Dijk. “In those one against one, Virgil has only gotten better. He is the complete defender if you look at what the future of a defender asks,” said the former defender, who was a trainer of Feyenoord after his career.

Besides Van Dijk, Stam was lyrical about other Dutch defenders in the Premier League. Especially from Jurriën Timber, player of Arsenal since 2023, he gives up high. “When he went to Arsenal, you heard a lot:” Too young, don’t do it. “What he showed there after his serious knee injury, I have a lot of respect for that. Right, left, central, it doesn’t matter. He is so good on the ball, positionally strong, rap and potent.”