Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule has been mightily impressed by Virgil Van Dijk rise and hopes to emulate what he’s accomplished at Liverpool.
German central defender Niklas Sule has hailed Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk as the best defender in the world at the moment.
The 28-year-old Virgil Van Dijk joined the Reds from south coast club Southampton in January 2018 in a then record-breaking transfer for a defender and played an integral role in their Champions League triumph last season in June.
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Along with being a mainstay in the starting eleven for the Premier League leaders, Van Dijk is the captain of the Netherlands national team and was named as the runner-up only behind Lionel Messi in last year’s Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
The 24-year-old Sule is in no doubt that the former Celtic star is the top defender in the current game and the Germany international hopes to follow Van Dijk’s example at Bayern Munich and for his national side.
While speaking with Bayern’s 51 magazine, Sule spoke about Van Dijk’s meteoric rise with Liverpool when he moved to Anfield, “Virgil van Dijk went to Liverpool at 27 and took the step to become the best defender in the world. He is now at the top at just under 30. As a central defender, you have your best phase from the mid-20s. You have the necessary experience and clarity, at the same time you are physically in top shape.”
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The Bavarian defender further explained that he wants to take the next big step in football over the next three years and emulate Van Dijk’s success, “I want to take the next big step in the next two or three years. And when people say that I belong the best in the world, I’m happy. That’s my goal. I will work hard on myself, then it will be up to me whether I become one of the best central defenders in the world or not.”
