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Steven Bergwijn lauds ‘fantastic’ Virgil van Dijk but favours Chelsea icon to Liverpool star
Tottenham Hotspur forward Steven Bergwijn has sung the praises of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk while speaking on the Premier League’s series but declared his preference for a Chelsea icon.
Bergwijn was joined by Joe Hart to discuss their ultimate English or Dutch centre-back from the Premier League era but rather than side with his compatriot, the forward joined the Spurs goalkeeper by naming John Terry as his favoured option.
Van Dijk has played alongside Bergwijn in the Netherlands squad since the winger broke into the side in 2018 and reached the 2019 UEFA Nations League final together before losing 1-0 to Portugal.
Neither man has been able to play a key and consistent role in the Dutch set-up since tasting defeat to Diogo Jota’s country, with a keeping Bergwijn on the sidelines while Van Dijk has been absent since October due to surgery on an injury.
Bergwijn rates Van Dijk’s talents very highly and believes Liverpool have a top-draw player in their ranks, but feels the defender is yet to reach the same levels achieved by Terry during the former England captain’s playing career.
“Virgil is very good, but I have to pick John Terry,” the 23-year-old . “I am an honest guy. Virgil is fantastic, but we have to give this to John Terry.”
TBR’s view: Liverpool star but not a great yet
Terry enjoyed a lengthy career at the top of the game littered with trophies as he put himself on the line week in, week out for Chelsea and was a true leader at Stamford Bridge and for his country.
Van Dijk is on the same path as Terry in becoming one of the Premier League’s all-time great centre-backs, having taken Liverpool to another level since leaving Southampton in a £75million () deal in 2018 to become the most expensive defender of all-time.
The Dutchman likely needs to deliver trophies year on year at Anfield to truly rival Terry for a place among the greats, but there is no doubting his ability as – like Bergwijn says – Van Dijk is a fantastic defender and leader, and Liverpool are a shadow of themselves when the 29-year-old is not on the field.