Leicester boss Puel makes a big claim about Van Dijk

Leicester City boss Claude Puel has revealed that he thinks that Virgil Van Dijk can go on to become one of the best defenders in the World after it was announced that he would be joining Liverpool on Wednesday.

The Dutch international will officially complete his move on January 1 for a fee of £75 million. Puel knows Van Diyk on a personal level having worked with him last season at Southampton and he also made him captain last term.

Liverpool’s major weakness this season has been its defence and Van Diyk will be expected to add quality to the Merseysiders shaky backline.

Puel said: “He is one of the best defenders in the world and he has all the qualities to become the best. It is fantastic for Liverpool.

“He can play in different good teams and it is a good reward for him. At the beginning of the season it was difficult for him because he wanted to join another club but now he will find his level. I am happy for him, and happy he can’t play against us!

“Of course I don’t know if it is the right price but for me he is a fantastic player, fantastic defender. I had him for six months and then for the last six months he was injured.

“In those first six months he made progress and developed his play. He has all the qualities. He is powerful, has pace and he is comfortable on the ball. He is tall and also has a strong character and personality.”

 

“I just think they’ve got Keita coming next summer and they have a lot of flair players to cover Coutinho. Lallana is still to come back and in full flow again so they’re covered. He’s a huge miss. He’s been involved in every goal and he’s yet to reach his peak.”

ARIS