JAMES MILNER has revealed Virgil an Dijk is “more of a Rolls-Royce” than Vincent Kompany when asked to compare the Liverpool and Manchester City stalwarts.
Speaking to Gary Neville on Sky Sports, Milner – via video-link – spoke out about the two legendary defenders he’s played with during his career.
Milner has had his say on both Van Dijk and Kompany
The Reds midfielder played alongside Kompany for five years at Manchester City, while starring alongside Van Dijk since the Dutchman’s £75million move to Anfield in January 2018.
While Kompany was one to always “put his head on the line”, Van Dijk is calmer and more positionally-sound, according to Milner.
When asked to compare the two centre-backs, Milner told Neville: “They’re both massive players…
“You always look at the spine of any successful team and it starts with the leaders at the back.
“Vinnie, obviously, was an unbelievable player with how he went about his business – but struggled with injuries.
“But the amount of injuries I saw him play through that no-one else would have seen is incredible.
“He’d put his head on the line, unbelievable leader and great captain with so many great qualities.
“Rightly so, one of the greatest defenders to ever play in the Premier League.”
BIT DIFFERENT
When speaking about current team-mate Van Dijk, Milner added: “Obviously Virg is a bit different to that, maybe a bit more of Rolls-Royce, if you like.
“He doesn’t seem to make too many tackles as he gets in the right spot and moves the ball away.
“Maybe has a few more diags [diagonal, forward passes] in his locker, too.”
However, Milner did begrudgingly admit Kompany’s strike against Leicester to all-but clinch the Premier League title last season was up there with the greats.
Just last year, Kompany said he believes Van Dijk is the greatest defender in Premier League history.
When asked who was the best, the Man City legend said: “I would bring it back to Virgil van Dijk.
“He’s not been on the scene as long as [John] Terry or [Rio] Ferdinand who have been around for a long time.
“But the signs he’s shown in the last few years show if he had been around longer he’d have been at the top for a long time.
“The Liverpool before Van Dijk and after are a completely different set up. I’ll give him that one.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
