The Dutchman has been in fine form for Southampton.
Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk in action with Swansea’s Modou Barrow
Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has backed his former team to get the better of Chelsea this afternoon in the Premier League.
The one-club man and Sky Sports pundit has been speaking to Sky about his beloved Saints ahead of the clash between the two sides and believes that, yet again, Southampton are being under-rated.
He backed Oriol Romeu to help keep Eden Hazard quiet and Nathan Redmond to trouble Chelsea’s back three with his pace.
But it was Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk that got the bulk of the praise.
Former footballer Matthew Le Tissier watches during the semi finals
Le Tissier backed him as the perfect central defender to handle both the physical and mental threat posed by Chelsea’s star striker Diego Costa, stating:
“Virgil van Dijk is the perfect player to deal with Diego Costa. He’s got all the right physical attributes to handle him, with strength and pace, and he’s also got the right temperament to not get wound up by him.
“He’s been outstanding all season. Maybe he could have done better for Manchester City’s goal in letting Kelechi Iheanacho get the wrong side of him, but you’d be nit picking.”
Van Dijk has established himself this season as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League. The Dutchman, signed from Celtic last summer, is clearly one of the best in the top-flight and will certainly back himself up against the dangerous Costa.
He has the cool head and physical stature to deal with the Spaniard. If he does, then Southampton may continue to surpass expectations this weekend.
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