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Southampton: Should we be surprised by Virgil van Dijk’s comments?

By Chris Hughes

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Saido Berahino of Stoke City and Virgil van Dijk of Southampton compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Bet365 Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Saido Berahino of Stoke City and Virgil van Dijk of Southampton compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Bet365 Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Yesterday news broke that Virgil van Dijk was still open to a Southampton departure, sparking Liverpool rumours yet again.

The Dutch defender’s dragged-out transfer saga will seemingly be Southampton’s defining moment of 2017, despite reaching the EFL Cup final.

The club finally broke their trend of selling on their best talents, as despite only a couple of transfers in, they kept hold of all their valuable assets.

Virgil van Dijk made his first start of the season under Mauricio Pellegrino this past weekend, producing a solid overall performance despite conceding a penalty.

Despite seemingly finally having his his head in the right place, the 26-year-old came out yesterday and told FOX that he was still open to a move around in January, as he prepared to link up with senior Netherlands squad again.

Southampton supporters have quickly taken to social media regarding the frankly unprofessional quotes, but should Saints fans really be surprised?

"“I have no regrets. Of course, I wanted to go one step up, but eventually Southampton did not want to let me go, but you’re a professional, so now I’ll give everything to the club.“Halfway through the season, maybe we can see what’s possible.” – Van Dijk"

NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton looks on 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 looks on 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) /

The lengths that VVD went to try and get out the club back in August were substantial, with his clearly-written-by-his-PR-team statement being breaking news across most media outlets.

Southampton insist that they never received a bid from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester City but the fact that the Dutchman reportedly flew to Blackpool for meetings with Jurgen Klopp showed the Reds’ intent.

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Despite offering him perhaps the longest and most lucrative contract in the club’s history it’s been evident for several months that Van Dijk feels like he doesn’t owe the club a thing – no public apology nor interview in a Saints kit has been conducted since his return to fitness.

Mauricio Pellegrino has handled the situation brilliantly but when Southampton’s Under-23’s lost 4-0 to Aston Villa respective side it was clear that VVD wasn’t even giving 50% effort.

Van Dijk hasn’t been with the club since he was a kid, and whilst the Saints have certainly boosted his profile, he was already relatively established after his work at Celtic – who he left pretty swiftly after joining too.

It pains to say but the 26-year-old’s ceiling is far beyond what Southampton can offer him and our intent in the transfer market this summer will not have helped that – a finish of at least seventh would be needed to give him any reason to stay beyond next summer.

Virgil is more than likely a total gentleman in person but these quotes don’t go against the grain of what we’ve already seen and heard from him since this saga began to gain momentum right back in Spring time. As Southampton fans, we really shouldn’t be surprised.