Virgil van Dijk (left) and John Terry - both pics GETTY
Virgil van Dijk (left) and John Terry - both pics GETTY
Chelsea legend John Terry offered his take on comparisons of himself with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. Terry retired in 2018 after an illustrious two-decade-long career with club and country.
Van Dijk, 34, is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League currently and has been at Anfield since January 2018, winning two top-flight titles and the UEFA Champions League, eliciting comparisons with Terry.
When asked whether Van Dijk is better than him, Terry cited stats like scoring the most Premier League goals by a defender and more titles won than Van Dijk (via talkSPORT):
"This is a debate everyone's entitled to their opinion to. But Pens, when you're on the radio, you have got to get your stats right. There's only one person who's got the most goals as a defender in Premier League history, and that's me.
"I also have the most clean sheets in Premier League history, and also, if you compare myself and Virgil, then I've more trophies than him as well. Also, you brought up a very good point: at the age of 34 (2014-15), I played every single minute of every game for Chelsea, winning the league in 2014-15 when Mourinho was our manager."
Terry concluded:
"So, guys, this is over to you. I love the debate. I love being amongst it. I'm really proud of what I've done in the Premier League, but this is clearly over to you guys to settle the debate. But I'm just happy to be in amongst it."
Terry has scored the most goals by a defender in the Premier League (41) and has the most clean sheets (214) in 492 games in the competition, all for Chelsea, winning the league five times - three more than Van Dijk.
What's next for Chelsea and Liverpool?
Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Both Chelsea and Liverpool have had decent campaigns, occupying top-six spots in the Premier League and reaching the UEFA Champions League knockouts and the FA Cup fifth round.
The Blues - coming off a 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round win at Hull City at the weekend - next face Burnley at home in the Premier League on Saturday (February 21). Meanwhile, the Reds saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 at home last week and now take on Nottingham Forest away in the league on Sunday (February 22).
Arne Slot's Liverpool (42) are sixth in the Premier League, two points and a spot behind the Blues, who are on a four-game winning run in the competition, winning four.