The Cardiff City manager has made a bold claim regarding Liverpool’s new signing.
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has claimed that Sol Bamba is a better defender than new Liverpool signing Virgil Van Dijk.
Liverpool have agreed to sign Van Dijk from Southampton for £75 million in a world record deal for a defender, but Warnock believes that Bamba, who has produced some impressive displays for Cardiff in the Championship this season, is a superior player.
As reported by BBC Sport, Warnock said: “I think Sol Bamba is slightly better than Van Dijk, defensive wise
“Van Dijk’s got better attributes on the ball but I don’t think he’s a better defender than Sol Bamba.
“I think Van Dijk is more confident on the ball and easier on the eye but I don’t think he’s better defensively.”
Warnock’s comments can certainly be seen as rather outlandish considering that Van Dijk has proven his quality in the Premier League, while Bamba hasn’t played in the English top flight.
Van Dijk will hope to prove Warnock wrong by helping to solve the defensive problems that have blighted Liverpool for several years.
Calm in possession and an authoritative presence at the back, Van Dijk has impressed since joining Southampton from Celtic in 2015.
Bamba, meanwhile, will hope to be playing in the Premier League next season with Cardiff, who are currently in third place in the Championship, eight points adrift of leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Cardiff were beaten 4-2 at home by Fulham on Boxing Day and will be determined to bounce back when they host Preston North End tomorrow night.
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