Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, Ian Wright has been discussing Virgil van Dijk and his slow start to this season.
The Dutch defender has looked decidedly vulnerable in the opening weeks of this Premier League season, he was given the run-around by Aleksandar Mitrovic on the opening day, Wilfried Zaha got the better of him at Anfield and he did a poor job of stopping Jadon Sancho’s goal for Manchester United on Monday.
Wright says that players may now feel more inclined to have a go at taking van Dijk on this season, stating that the Dutchman wasn’t overly tested last term.
What’s been said?
Wright spoke about van Dijk.
“I do feel, and I mentioned him briefly, watching Virgil van Dijk against Fulham and then watching him against United. I think people are going to try to have a go. At this stage you factor in who the partner is, I thought Joe Gomez was solid the other night, but at the moment he’s not quite centred,” Wright said.
‘People say it takes two seasons after the injury he had to get going, I don’t think he was majorly tested last season, but this season, it’s been straight off the bat with Mitrovic and then Man United people taking him on and going at him. I feel like we’re going to get a lot of answers this season in terms of what he’s about, what Man City are about and what Arsenal are about, I’m so excited.”
Needs to stamp his authority
Van Dijk needs to get up to speed and stamp his authority on this season. Otherwise, the defender is going to be targeted as Wright says.
Confidence is so important to a defender, and if van Dijk has a few more bad games, the centre-back may begin to question his own abilities.
We can’t believe we’re about to say this, but van Dijk really needs to step up in the coming weeks or else he may become a target for opposition strikers.
It sounds bizarre to say about one of the best defenders ever, but the Dutchman really needs to get his act together.
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