‘By a long way’: Pundit explains what Ruben Dias does better than Virgil van Dijk | OneFootball

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Anfield Watch

·5 May 2021

‘By a long way’: Pundit explains what Ruben Dias does better than Virgil van Dijk

Article image:‘By a long way’: Pundit explains what Ruben Dias does better than Virgil van Dijk

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has claimed Manchester City star Ruben Dias is a better defender in terms of positioning than Virgil van Dijk.

Carragher says he has been impressed with Dias’ performances for City this season and believes that he is the best defender in the Premier League in the way that he positions his body to make vital blocks and interceptions at the back.


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The Reds legend admits van Dijk has physical attributes that help him in other ways in comparison to Dias, which means that he can recover with his pace. He says watching van Dijk is like watching a ‘Rolls-Royce’, whilst Dias has to stay concentrated all the time.

Speaking on CBS, as transcribed by the Daily Star, Carragher compared the two centre-backs. “What I would say is that Van Dijk has been blessed with physical attributes that Dias hasn’t so in some ways I’m more impressed with Dias.

“When you watch Van Dijk, it’s like watching a Rolls-Royce, you just think the way he moves. Most players don’t have that and Dias probably hasn’t got that so probably has to concentrate more and be side on constantly.

Article image:‘By a long way’: Pundit explains what Ruben Dias does better than Virgil van Dijk

“We have seen Van Dijk over the last couple of years win the Champions League. I think the new breed is coming and this guy [Dias] is a massive part of it. The biggest thing for a centre-back, in terms of body position, I think he’s the best by a long way in the Premier League.”

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

First and foremost, it says a lot about what van Dijk has achieved in recent years that Dias is being constantly compared with the Dutchman despite him currently being sat on the sidelines. Dias is enjoying a fine season with Manchester City and has been touted to win the PFA Player of the Year award for his performances in the Premier League. Van Dijk, meanwhile, has not played since October and is still being compared with Dias, which shows how highly he is rated within the football world.

In terms of Carragher’s comments, we can see where he is coming from. Van Dijk is blessed with immense pace and is able to use that to recover situations if a player is able to knock the ball past him or make a run off the back of him when a midfield player threads a pass over the top or in behind. Dias, however, does not have that pace and, as Carragher explains, needs to think more carefully about his starting position to deal with danger. This means that Dias has had to spend more time perfecting his positioning because he does not have the luxury van Dijk has of having blistering speed.

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