Former teammate tips Van Dijk for Ballon d’Or win

Jose Fonte believes Virgil van Dijk can win the Ballon d’Or this season.

The Portuguese international was paired alongside Van Dijk during his Southampton days before a £75million deal saw the Dutchman make the switch to Anfield last year.

And Fonte thinks his former teammate can add to his Champions League winners medal with another accolade in the near future.

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“I think he has a shot to be honest,” Fonte said, as quoted by the Evening Standard. “He was named Premier League player of the year, winning the Champions League, why not?

“We always give it to the strikers because they score goals and everything but it is about time a defender gets one, no?”

Fonte added: “Without a doubt [you knew he would be this good].

“I had many conversations with my international teammates, I remember telling them ‘listen, this guy I am sure he will be one of the best defenders in the world’.

“It is obvious, everyone could see the pace he had, how strong he is – wins every duel. It was just about improving his positioning, and that is what he did when he came to Southampton, he stopped coming out with the ball too much, trying to dribble too much, playing simple.”

“Did I teach him that? Ah! Listen, I have a little bit of credit but the main thing is him, he is an amazing talent.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com