Ex-Liverpool star on John Terry suggesting he’s better than Van Dijk
Ex-Liverpool star on John Terry suggesting he’s better than Van Dijk
Former Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant has doubled down on his claim, insisting that Reds defender Virgil van Dijk is better than Chelsea legend John Terry.
Pennant sparked a debate online earlier this week after suggesting that Van Dijk is the greatest Premier League defender of all time, placing him above Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, and Terry.
Terry, in his response, acknowledged that everyone is entitled to their opinion but urged Pennant to ‘get the stats right,’ with the Chelsea icon stressing that he has the most goals and clean sheets in Premier League history. He also noted that he has more trophies than Van Dijk but threw the debate to the public.
Pennant has now responded to Terry’s retort in a recent episode of talkSPORT. Drawing his argument from a statistical point of view, the former Liverpool winger claimed that Van Dijk has a higher aerial duel and ground duel success rate than Terry.
He also argued that being the best defender is not dependent on the number of trophies won, stressing that the Dutchman is better in terms of defensive abilities.
“I ain't got JT's cabinet, so I can't find my Community Shield medals or my FA Cup runners' up medals either,” Pennant said. “This [Champions League runner's up medal] is my retaliation! Listen, let's get something straight here. JT, one of England's greatest centre-backs without shadow of a doubt, but my argument is that it's not about what you've won in your career.
“We're not talking about who's won what in what career. Yes, he's won more trophies – Scott Carson's won four Premier League titles and the Champions League. Does it make him better than Alisson?”
Pennant’s earlier statement about Liverpool’s Van Dijk being a better defender than Terry
Pennant on Monday clashed with Jamie O’Hara during a segment on talkSPORT after claiming that Van Dijk is the best defender in the division, citing his longevity.
“Look at the age of Van Dijk now... he's 34," Pennant said. "At 34, Rio [Ferdinand] was at Queens Park Rangers, while Van Dijk is at Liverpool playing competitive football. He scored more goals than all of those defenders you’ve named. So how can you disrespect Van Dijk like that?
“If you say you want John Terry or Virgil van Dijk, I’m having Virgil van Dijk. Do you know how many Premier League games John Terry played at 34... he was in the under 21s. Terry is a legend but if you're saying as a defender one v one, who would I want to run up against, I'd say John Terry every day of the week. I think I scored against them when I played at Leeds when I put John Terry on his bum bum. I mean, since when did he come second in the Ballon d'Or?”
While Terry is highly revered among the Chelsea faithful, Van Dijk has also cemented his status as one of Premier League's best defenders since joining Liverpool in 2018.