Southampton: Wesley Hoedt excited to play alongside Virgil van Dijk
By Chris Hughes
After making his debut this past weekend, the 23-year-old is keen to now build a strong relationship with fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk.
Wesley Hoedt was one of Southampton’s two big signings this summer, but he had to wait some time to make his Saints debut.
After being at the club for over a fortnight, he played the full 90 in the 2-0 loss to Watford, but neither goal came from any kind of mistake on his part.
Hoedt will hope to get the nod this coming weekend in what’s becoming much more of a must-win game, as Mauricio Pellegrino’s side square off against Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.
The 23-year-old started alongside Jack Stephens against the Hornets, but it’s Virgil van Dijk who Hoedt is most excited to play alongside:
"“We’re both Dutch so that’s an advantage and we’re very similar so we could have a very good partnership.“Not only us but we have three other central defenders who are really good so that’s nice. It’s always good to have competition.” – Hoedt"
The idea of VVD and Hoedt playing alongside each other is a mouth-watering prospect for Southampton fans, as it could prove to arguably to be the sixth or seventh-best defensive partnership in the league.
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What remains unclear is when the two Dutchmen could finally get the nod next to each other or as part of a back three.
Virgil van Dijk played the full 90 minutes against Aston Villa in the Premier League 2 for Southampton’s Under-23 squad on Monday night, but there was little-to-no effort from the 26-year-old.
Supporters were quick to point out that for several of Villa’s four goals van Dijk was in no rush to get back on defensive as they broke away, barely mustering a jog and leaving Alex McCarthy helpless in goal.
However it does show a steady return to fitness for the former-Celtic man, meaning an appearance on the subs bench against either Palace or Manchester United is a likely prospect.
Nonetheless, it’s more likely going to be closer to IOctober before we see the two set-up alongside each other in the heart of defence – but when it happens, it could be amazing.