Player Focus: Van Dijk's Impressive Start to Life for Saints
When looking at players who have made moves south of the border, it’s tough to find an argument to suggest they have been spectacular failures. Granted, some have floundered early on, but overall; the general consensus is that those transferring from Scottish to English football can be considered a success. Take James McCarthy, James McArthur and Steven Naismith, three examples of those who have made a seamless transition between the Scottish Premier League and the Premier League.
With the gulf in quality between the two leagues growing with each passing season, one would suspect those who move from Scotland to England would struggle, yet instead, they appear to thrive in the competitive nature of England’s top tier. The latest import comes in the form of Virgil van Dijk, who has adjusted to the rigours of Premier League football with relative ease. 10 Premier League games into the season, the centre-back’s WhoScored rating (7.63) ranks among the top 10 players in England’s top tier and is the best of all Southampton stars to make at least two league starts this term.
His swift adjustment from Scottish to English football comes as little shock to those who paid close attention to his development during his time at Celtic. Having signed from Groningen in 2013, Van Dijk showed plenty of promise, convincing the SPL champions to secure his services. During his time with Celtic, the 24-year-old turned out a number of performances way beyond his years and, with each week, became more and more of a big fish in a small pond. A move to the Premier League was little shock, with Saints the team to take a punt on the Netherlands international.
Toby Alderweireld’s move to Tottenham, coupled with Florin Gardos’ knee injury sustained in pre-season, meant Saints required defensive reinforcements to swell the ranks. Steven Caulker may have arrived from QPR on loan to bolster the backline, but it was not enough for a club that harbours European ambitions, leading Saints to move for Van Dijk. Their risk has not been without reward.
Van Dijk has struck up an immediate understanding with centre-back partner and club captain Jose Fonte, with the duo’s respective games complementing one another perfectly. The former provides the necessary aerial protection any top-flight defence requires, with the Dutch centre-back maximising his 6’4” frame to its full potential. Only three players - all strikers - are winning more aerial duels per game than Van Dijk (5.3), reinforcing his statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘aerial duels’. This aerial dominance is crucial against any team that adopts a more direct approach, with the defender more than capable of countering such a style of play.
As such, Fonte is the centre-back tasked with instigating attacks from the back, ensuring Ronald Koeman’s side keeps the ball on the floor at any given opportunity. Fonte is averaging more passes per game (51.4) than any other Saints player, while his pass success rate (86%) is top of every first team regular for the south coast side. That isn’t to say Van Dijk is needlessly thumping the ball upfield from the back. His average of 43.8 passes per game is third of all Saints players this season. The reason his number is considerably lower than Fonte is perhaps due to the centre-back’s style of play.
As proven during his time at Celtic, Van Dijk is not afraid to carry the ball forward from defence into midfield. This, though, increases the risk of Saints being caught short at the back, but he is a more than able performer of carrying possession into the middle of the park to help put the opposition under further pressure. However, this trait is one that Koeman would likely be keen to see limited, despite how comfortable a player he is when on the ball, thus lowering the risk of Saints needlessly conceding.
Even if that is the case, though, Van Dijk is more then capable of alleviating pressure on Saints’ goal. Any centre-back needs to be able to be in the right place at the right time to clear the ball from danger, which Van Dijk does with aplomb averaging more clearances per game (7.5) than any other Saints regular, that figure ranking among the top 10 Premier League players this campaign. While not quite of the same ability as Alderweireld, the Dutch youngster performs his defensive duties to an impressive standard and it has helped him quickly endear himself to Saints fans, allowing them to quickly move on from the heartbreak of losing the Belgian to Spurs.
After his rapid progression into the Groningen senior team following his arrival from Willim II, big things were expected of the highly-rated defender and he is certainly beginning to fulfill his potential with Saints. The hope now is that Van Dijk can maintain his impressive start to life in England, with early signs suggesting he is likely to prolong this good form.
What do you make of Van Dijk's start to life in the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
