Virgil van Dijk has found himself at the centre of a growing debate in Dutch football.
Virgil van Dijk has found himself at the centre of a growing debate in Dutch football, but at least one prominent voice believes the criticism he has faced is both unfair and poorly timed.
The 35-year-old Liverpool captain was named in the Netherlands squad for the upcoming international break following direct talks with new manager Xavi, who reportedly sought out the defender personally, including during Liverpool’s recent Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, to discuss his future in an Oranje shirt.
The conversation carried weight given Van Dijk’s previous ambiguity, having remained non-committal about continuing his international career following the Netherlands’ round of 16 exit to Morocco at the World Cup.
That exit, and Van Dijk’s continued involvement in the squad afterwards, has generated criticism in his homeland.
Journalist Noa Vahle, speaking on Nieuws van de Dag and relayed by FC Update, has now pushed back firmly against that narrative.
“He is opting for Nathan Aké and Virgil van Dijk again,” Vahle said of Xavi’s selection.
“I think that makes perfect sense, working towards a sort of transitional period.”
“You also shouldn’t underestimate the fact that Van Dijk has been our captain for a very long time; you don’t just walk away from that.”
“If he told Xavi during that conversation that he still wants to go for it, then I think he certainly deserves that chance.”
Vahle went further, arguing that Van Dijk’s standing in Dutch football has been undervalued in the current climate of criticism.
“He has had a fantastic career and has shown incredible quality.”
“He has won numerous trophies in the best league in the world, the Premier League.”
“He is the captain of the Dutch national team, and I do feel he deserves much more respect.”
“Have we been too dismissive of him?”
“I think people too easily assume we’re moving into a new era and will simply do so without Virgil.”
She was careful to note that criticism of his performances is legitimate given his captaincy, but maintained that his overall inclusion is justified.
“Setting aside the fact that you are certainly entitled to be critical of his performances for the national team, he is the captain, after all, so perhaps more is expected of him, I fully understand why he is still in the squad.”
The numbers support the case being made for him.
Van Dijk remains an undisputed starter at Liverpool, having played every minute of the Premier League last season while ranking first in the division for both clearances and aerial duels won.
Four games into the current campaign, Liverpool sit eighth with six points from one win and three draws, and Van Dijk has continued to anchor a defence navigating significant squad turnover following the departures of Ibrahima Konate and others last summer.
For Vahle, that continued top level output at club level is reason enough to trust Xavi’s judgement. Whether Dutch supporters come to the same conclusion remains to be seen.
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