Koeman: Van Dijk and De Ligt are best pairing in Europe

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman thinks his side boast the two best centre-backs in Europe right now.

Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt have formed a formidable partnership at the back for Holland, who take on England in the Nations League semi-final on Thursday.

And Koeman, 56, thinks the pair easily surpass him at his best.

READ: Jurgen Klopp could take a sabbatical from football in 2022

READ: Southgate: Henderson “sets the standard” for England

“I was not the quality defender of De Ligt or Virgil,” Koeman said, as quoted by 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.

“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.

“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.”

The post Koeman: Van Dijk and De Ligt are best pairing in Europe appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com