Netherlands legend Marco van Basten has blasted Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk for ‘making a mess’ of the team in their 4-0 thrashing of France – questioning his leadership abilities.
The Netherlands captain had a game to forget at center back during Ronald Koeman’s first game when he returned in charge of the team as the Dutch national team faced riots in their Euro 2024 qualifiers on Friday.
He fared better in his next match, against Gibraltar in a 3-0 win on Monday, but did not escape the wrath of Van Basten, who believes he is unfit to wear the captain’s armband because he does not communicate enough.
‘He’s making a noise, but he’s not saying anything,’ said Van Basten. Ziggo Sportvia VI.
It is not clear. A good captain thinks out loud, and makes it clear what is going on. stay between. creates chaos. This leads to misunderstanding. This is what you must prevent as a leader.
Dutch legend Marco van Basten has swooned over Virgil van Dijk’s leadership skills, claiming he ‘makes noise but doesn’t say anything’
Van Dijk and his Dutch side thrashed France 4-0 on Friday and the Liverpool star came under fire for his display.
“He’s good in the dressing room, football is not so good tactically and technically. You need another gentleman on the field. This has nothing to do with that injury, this has to do with leadership. He makes noise, but he says nothing. That’s right. That’s in you.” This is the desire to win at any cost.
Fellow pundits Ruud Gullit – also a Dutch legend – backed up Van Basten’s claims about Van Dijk, accusing the defender of arrogance and “playing it safe”.
He said, “He’s walking backwards.” They have already criticized him in England. He was selected to the World Team of the Year. He thinks he is better than the rest.
“We see things… and then I think, ‘You’re a leader, you have to solve this.’” But he only gets a little hung-up on what’s going on in front of him.
I don’t know if he does, but he doesn’t seem to be talking. Play it safe. Come on now, you’re so big and good. It is a positive criticism that we offer. Isn’t he the best? Then show it.
Van Dijk has been accused of “creating chaos” for his teammates and causing a “misunderstanding”
Ruud Gullit agreed that Van Dijk was “playing too safe” and accused him of being arrogant
Van Dijk responded quickly to the biting remarks from the pair – who both won the 1988 European Championships together – with Gullit leading the side, claiming there were unfair expectations of him for consistent performance.
“It doesn’t do me any good,” he told reporters. “Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that’s the way it is. Have I set the bar unrealistically high? How is that possible? I’ve never been perfect, constant is the right word. They know it better than anyone that footballers have tops.” High and deep valleys.
It is very normal not to play constantly. That you have a stage as a club or player in which you are looking for your level. People should not forget that.
“It’s normal for people to make mistakes, that’s part of football and it’s very human. No matter who gets a platform and is allowed to say what, that’s where things get big.
Van Dijk – who has been captain of the Netherlands since 2018, when Koeman handed him responsibility in his first spell – admits he is also struggling at club level.
The 31-year-old hit back at the pair by claiming that expectations of him were too high
Van Dijk added: “You know better than anyone when you’re doing something right or not. These are difficult times at the club, also with ups and downs. I’m very optimistic about the future and trying to play the best game ever. Every game. We’re not bots. Let’s not Forget it. Maybe people forget that sometimes.
The 31-year-old – who joined Liverpool for £75m in 2018 – was once seen as one of the world’s greatest defensive backs over the past few years as Liverpool battled to the top of the table by winning the Premier League and Champions League. Europe.
Last year, however, Van Dijk’s quality was questioned after mistakes were seen creeping into his game. He was heavily scrutinized for falling behind in defense as Liverpool lost 5-2 to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie in February.
Van Dijk has also come under fire for being there partially Faulted on Philip Billing’s goal for Bournemouth before the international break When he failed to stop a Dango Ouattara cross.
Pundit Rio Ferdinand indicated his poor form hasn’t been helped by Liverpool’s inconsistency this season.
There are stages in your career where things don’t go as planned.
The Liverpool star has been scrutinized for poor form at his club too, with the defender found guilty of some questionable defensive displays of late.
(But) you look at great halves like Vidic, Kompany, Campbell, Terry, Jaap Stam, they don’t have an off season or big spells like eight to nine games.
“Team form does play a role though and it has an impact and sometimes you are only as good as the team around you.
“He didn’t have the team’s performance in the way that suited his style of play.”
Michael Owen agreed with this theory and claimed he was left “exposed” in exchange for one.
‘wWhen Liverpool play well, you don’t have much to do (as a defender), they win the ball up front.
The problem is that they leave themselves exposed (for now), so it’s hard to play in if your team isn’t doing well.
“It’s difficult at the moment because he gets exposed in a one-on-one showdown. If they were playing well, you wouldn’t even notice him wiping it all down.
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