Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman believes he has the two best central defenders in Europe.
His side take on England in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday, with full commentary of the clash LIVE on talkSPORT.
Koeman has built an exciting team with Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence.
Getty
2
Ronald Koeman believes Van Dijk and De Ligt are better players than he ever was
The 56-year-old former Ajax and Barcelona defender believes they are both better than he ever was as a player.
“I was not the quality defender of De Ligt or Virgil,” Koeman told the Daily Mail. “They are top, top players.
“We have the best central defenders (in Europe) with De Ligt and Virgil. That’s great because you build the house, always, from downstairs. You don’t start with the roof.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
- Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
- France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
- Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) – talkSPORT
- England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT
“When you look at Virgil now, this is a big, big personality on the pitch. He is a leader.
“That is why I made him captain. I knew him from Southampton. I thought: ‘he can do more – he can carry more responsibility.’ He is strong; he has a great character and enjoys the responsibility. He is a good boy.
Getty Images - Getty
2
Van Dijk was a star performer as Liverpool won their sixth European Cup in 2018/19
“De Ligt is only 19! If you watch him play, you do not see a player who is only 19. You see a player who plays with so much more experience than he actually has.
“The season that he had – and all the young boys at Ajax had – is great for their development as players.”
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard addresses Blues fans following Real Madrid move
ALLEZ LES BLEUES
France sweep aside South Korea in opening match of 2019 Women's World Cup
PRICELESS POINT
Late Duffy header keeps Ireland unbeaten in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
De Ligt is one of the brightest young talents in world football and is set for a big money move this summer with Barcelona and Manchester United touted as possible destinations for the £75million-rated centre-half.
Liverpool have also been linked with a swoop for De Ligt, and if they capture the wonderkid this summer Jurgen Klopp will be able to boast about owning the two best defenders in Europe.
The pair already star together on the international stage, and the Anfield faithful would love to see them alongside one another on Merseyside as well.
talkSPORT brings you full live commentary of every match at the Nations League finals, including Netherlands vs England on Thursday evening. Click HERE to tune in online, or listen through our radioplayer below…
Netherlands vs England: Ronald Koeman believes he has two best centre-backs in Europe in Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt. will be able to boast about owning the two best defenders in Europe.
~ Netherlands vs England: Ronald Koeman believes he has two
Ronald Koeman believes Netherlands' defensive stars Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt can shackle Cristiano Ronaldo when they take on Portugal in Sunday's Nations League final.
Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt are the best defenders
Koeman fielded a back three in the early stages of his Netherlands reign but De Ligt's emergence alongside Virgil van Dijk has allowed him to switch to a four. Their centre-back pairing is as formidable as any other in world football. "With Virgil and De Ligt, you can say the Oranje has a senior captain and a youth captain," says Elfrink.
Portugal vs Netherlands: Ronald Koeman confident Virgil van
Ronald Koeman 'We are on the way back!': Ronald Koeman on his resurgence with Holland, life after Everton axe and how he compared to Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs De Ligt in his playing days. dailymail.co.uk - Dominic King. There is a huge laugh as Ronald Koeman contemplates the idea he is a changed man.
Holland boss Ronald Koeman believes England have a chance of winning Euro 2020 and revealed Gareth Virgil van Dijk and Ronald Koeman Matthijs De Ligt is one of Europe's most sought-after
Flipboard: 'We are on the way back!': Ronald Koeman on his
Netherlands vs England: Ronald Koeman believes he has two best centre-backs in Europe in Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman believes he has the two best central defenders in Europe. His side take on England in the Nations League semi-finals on talkSPORT 1 day ago
Ronald Koeman expects England to challenge for Euro 2020
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman believes he has the two best central defenders in Europe. His side take on England in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday, with full commentary of the clash LIVE on talkSPORT. Koeman has built an exciting team with Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence.
Ronald Koeman believes he has two best centre-backs in Europe
fussboll.com/2019/06/04/ronald-koeman-believes-he-has-two-best-centre-backs-in-europe-in-virgil-van-dijk-and-matthijs-de-ligt/
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman believes he has the two best central defenders in Europe. His side take on England in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday, with full commentary of the clash LIVE on talkSPORT. Koeman has built an exciting team with Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence.
Netherlands vs England: Frenkie de Jong leading Dutch
Netherlands vs England: Ronald Koeman believes he has two
Rashford has played against De Ligt at club and international level and believes he is one of the best defenders in the world right now Rashford, though, played against the Dutch in the 1-0 friendly win in Amsterdam last March and will be well aware of how much the side have improved since then, believing the defence is particularly strong considering Matthijs de Ligt and Virgil van Dijk are
Ajax star De Ligt tells Koeman about his future plans - One
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman believes he has the two best central defenders in Europe. His side take on England in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday, with full commentary of the clash LIVE on talkSPORT. Koeman has built an exciting team with Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence.
Netherlands vs England: Ronald Koeman believes he has two
No comments:
Post a Comment