2016/17 Southampton season review: Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk set about the making the 2016/17 season his own, but has sadly spent half of it on the sidelines after an unfortunate injury against Leicester.

Having joined in the September of 2015 for a mere £13 million, Dutchman Virgil van Dijk went into the 2016/17 season hoping to lead the side from the back alongside EURO 2016 winner Jose Fonte.

The latter combined perfectly with van Dijk due to the former Celtic man’s pace and ball-playing ability, something which he excels in as one of the best in the league.

VVD’s importance to both his club and national squad are emphasised by the fact that he made nearly 40 appearances before his injury in January, meaning he would’ve well exceeded the 50-game mark and would’ve been Southampton’ most-played player this campaign.

Having gone into the season with a fresh, six-year contract under his belt, the 25-year-old’s importance to the squad was only increased as he was made team captain following the departure of the aforementioned Fonte in January.

He took leaps and bounds within his own game this past season and has since been credited with £50 million moves to just about every top club in England, with Chelsea and Liverpool believed to be leading the race in the latest odds.

Next: Claude Puel linked with move to Saint-Etienne

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 31: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton walks off the pitch after sent off during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary’s Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

Killer numbers

Across the board, van Dijk has been truly stellar this season, and could’ve arguably been in the PFA Team of the Year had he not suffered the injury at the tail end of January.

Van Dijk averaged 46.7 passes per game with an average success rate of 84.2 percent. Excluding both Martin Caceres and Harrison Reed who barely featured, that’s the sixth-best average in the entire squad.

What’s more, despite averaging a successful dribble every other game, van Dijk was dispossessed just 0.1 times per game when the average is calculated, only showing his confidence on the ball and his incredible technical ability.

But on the defensive end his stats are even better, as in the league alone he he has averaged 1.9 tackles, 2.6 interceptions and 6.8 clearances, whilst conceding less than one foul a game. Add that to his four goals in all competitions and you can see where the £50 million valuation has come from.

My Verdict

Virgil van Dijk has been amazing with both his stats and with his off-the-field influence, and the squad will have a massive void in it’s core if he leaves in the summer.

Had the Dutch international had that kind of season for a top-four side, he’d be raved about as one of the best in the league and as a result it’s going to be really hard to keep him out of the clutches of the league’s big boys.

In my years supporting Southampton I firmly believe that van Dijk is the best defender that the club has had. Whilst his injury was completely out of his control he does prevent him getting the perfect score, and thus I give him a nine.

Virgil van Dijk: 9/10