06 May 2017 11:59:48
Hey ed01, I would like to talk with you about Virgil van Dijk, since he is one of the hottest names in the mainstream media these days, linked with anybody and their dog (said dog lacking the street smarts of Sparky) .
I seem to recall you used to offer an extensive critique on his overall play during the autumn? I could not find the posts because the banter is overflowing with van Dijk sprache, but I think you spoke about his lack of concentration and tendency to wonder off?
I wonder if you could offer an updated summary on your views of his strengths and weaknesses, and how he would fit in the high line that Klopp favors if we signed him for some reason.
As a secondary question, what qualities should a CB possess to fit in said system, at least in your opinion?

Cheers!

{Ed001's Note - the qualities a CB needs in Klopp's system are pace, positional sense, awareness and ability on the ball.

Van Dijk has the pace and ability on the ball certainly. He is strong and excellent in the air as well. Unfortunately he possesses a lack of real awareness, his positional sense is suspect as he usually throws himself into a needless tackle somewhere outside the box and then stands watching the rest of the play, rather than racing back into position like he should do. Worse is his tendency to go off on a wander, I like a centre back to take the ball out from the back, it is one of Matip's strengths for instance, but they have to know when to give the ball and get back into position. VVD just overruns it and then strolls back every time. It is telling that you can see him nowhere near his own box almost every time a goal is conceded, as he is usually busy watching the game, rather than taking part.

If his concentration improved and he made effort to get back (which a centre back has absolutely no excuse for strolling back considering they cover less distance than almost every other player on the pitch, so can't make the excuse of energy conservation) then he could be an excellent defender. Physically he is just about as good as it gets, damn near perfect. Technically he is excellent on the ball and in the air and a very good tackler. It is mentally that the problems are. He chooses the wrong places and times to make his tackles.

He is one of the most frustrating players to watch, in my opinion, as he could be the best defender in the world, but you can see he is letting himself down. As things stand, he is someone who would add to the problems we have, which have all come from individual errors. He is not even a vocal leader of a player, which is the thing we lack most right now.}

1.) 06 May 2017
06 May 2017 12:35:04
This is my fear too, ed. A bit like the Lovren transfer, taking in a defender who undoubtfully has strengths, but his weaknesses are of the worst possible kind for our error-prone defense. That said, I do have hopes that with the proper motivation van Dijk can grow as a player, he is entering the right age bracket I believe. Now or never, so to say.
I do wonder how the long injury lay-off would affect him though.

Thanks for the detailed response, and have a nice day.

{Ed001's Note - if he was a cheap gamble, like Matip, then I would have no problem with it. However he is going to command a fee he will never be worth.}

2.) 06 May 2017
06 May 2017 13:23:42
Ed don't think you think he would be good in a 3.

{Ed001's Note - god no. It would just allow him to be even less focused and lazy.}

3.) 06 May 2017
06 May 2017 13:33:06
ED001, u actually think Saints will get the 50 million GBP they want for VVD? Its a stupid sum for an inconsistent defender and I just cannot think of nay club that would be foolish enough to part with so much money for an average defender. But then City did pay 50 million for John Stones so who knows!

{Ed001's Note - there are a lot of clubs, with a lot of money, desperately searching for a centre half, so they will get a ridiculous sum.}

4.) 06 May 2017
06 May 2017 15:14:48
Its only one opinion that VVD is an average defender. Maybe other clubs rate him higher than Ed001? Personally i think he has all the attributes to be very good and any flaws in his game will be ironed out at a top club.

5.) 06 May 2017
06 May 2017 16:41:54
For the right money, Ben Gibson of Boro would be a much better fit in our side, plus he is a leader, is vocal, still young, English, so ticks a lot of boxes, also the left back from Hull Andrew Robertson, he has a very good left foot, gets forward, and strong, price would be good too, that would be a really good improvement to our dodgy defence .

{Ed001's Note - I agree on Gibson but not Robertson, he has never impressed me at all.}

6.) 06 May 2017
06 May 2017 19:56:40
Wouldn't David Luis have had the same criticisms earlier in his career as vvd, still don't think he's great but massive improvement on his first stint at chelsea?

{Ed001's Note - to a degree, but Luiz also had a magnificent range of passing, which VVD has not got at all. Luiz can play central midfield and has done numerous times. He was not as bad as the media like to make out. His lapses were always highlighted because of the way he looks he makes an easy target. The fact he is a nice guy means you can slag him off and know he is not going to get in your face if you bump into him, which is something you can't say about all players.}