Saints Marching
Fansided

Steven Davis says van Dijk must fight for Southampton place

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: (L-R) Maya Yoshida, Steven Davis and Nathan Redmond of Southampton warm up prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: (L-R) Maya Yoshida, Steven Davis and Nathan Redmond of Southampton warm up prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Virgil van Dijk will not be guaranteed game time if he stays at Southampton beyond the the transfer window, according to club captain Steven Davis.

The Dutch defender’s ongoing transfer saga is seemingly never-ending, following fresh news this past weekend that he may or may not have sacked his agent in order to push a move through.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Juventus and most prominently Liverpool have all been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, who is still training with Southampton youth squads in order to keep up his fitness.

Assuming that the former-Celtic man isn’t sold in the last few days before the window shuts, then it would make sense for the defender to slowly be reintegrated back into the first-team picture. After all, van Dijk is arguably one of the best centre-backs in the league and his presence would greatly strengthen Southampton’s back line.

However, club captain Steven Davis insists that van Dijk will not walk straight back into the starting XI once he’s match fit, but will instead have to fight for his place.

"“We obviously missed him from January when he was injured and the likes of Jack and Maya have stepped in and done extremely well.“If he comes back he’s going to have to fight for that place again.But hopefully we can keep him because it will make our squad stronger.” – Davis speaking to the Daily Echo"

NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on January 7, 2017 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on January 7, 2017 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /

Maya Yoshida and Jack Stephens have started at the back in each of the Saints’ three Premier League games so far this campaign, with Jan Bednarek getting included in a changed three-at-the-back against Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

More from Saints Marching

Furthermore, the arrival of Wesley Hoedt last week only adds more depth to the Southampton back-line, meaning Virgil will have to climb his way back up the pecking order.

Davis went on to insist that the squad would welcome the want-away team captain back with open arms, despite submitting a transfer request among other on-going fiascoes including wage fines and refusing to travel for pre-season camps.

However at the end of the day the 26-year-old is still under contract at Southampton until 2022, meaning it would be a waste to allow one of the club’s highest earners to rot among the Under-23’s for the entire campaign.

However Saints supporters would surely all be in agreement that van Dijk would need to be publicly apologise before he should be considered for first-team contention once again.

Home/Southampton FC News