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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.”
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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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt are the best defenders
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
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