With all the big money moves, rumours and usual deadline day antics, Southampton’s signing of Virgil van Dijk from Celtic FC may have flown under the radar for some.
Yet, the impact that he could have on the Saints’ 2015-16 campaign will make many stand up and pay attention.
With links to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Everton all popping up in the duration of the transfer window, van Dijk’s name was regularly circulating the rumour mill. The strongest of these whispers was that Ronald Koeman was aiming to bring the fellow Dutchman to the South Coast.
With Celtic reluctant to let their star man go, especially with approaches being made while the club were in the midst of a UEFA Champion’s League qualification campaign, by the time deadline day rolled around the move appeared to not be happening. Steven Caulker was loaned in from Queens Park Rangers and seemed to be the man who would have to satisfy the Saints’ need for central-defenders, after failing to lure Toby Alderweireld back to the club.
During those final hours of the offseason window, a deal was done that saw van Dijk become the third Celtic player in as many seasons to make the move to Southampton. An £11.5 million pound move was confirmed and a five-year-contract signed by the 24-year-old.
His signing may not have been one dominating the headlines, but his debut was very much anticipated by Saints supporters, with the side’s defence, especially centrally, struggling in August. Maya Yoshida looked shaky, Caulker failed to stamp his mark when given the opportunity and club captain José Fonte was a different man to the confident stopper who led the second stingiest defence in 2014-15.
Van Dijk’s debut came not long after on the 12th of September, playing the full 90 against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. Since then he has not left the starting XI, featuring in every minute of the Premier League matches against Manchester United and Swansea City, as well as almost the full game in the League Cup against Milton Keynes Dons.
The goal which opened the scoring against Swansea City, a powerful near post header from a James Ward-Prowse corner, brought the Dutch centre-half’s name to many EPL fan’s lips, but his worth was proved well before then to those observing more keenly. Referring back to his opening performance against West Brom, van Dijk looked comfortable and seemed to have slotted into the side with ease, making it look simple in limiting the Albion forwards to have just one shot on target for the whole game.
The second game against the Red Devils was one most in the Southampton defence would prefer to forget. A rampant Anthony Martial made the backline look foolish and three goals conceded at home is never a good enough performance. That said, van Dijk was still probably the best of the back four and if not for him covering Fonte and the rest of the defence on a few occasions, things could have gotten a lot worse.
The cup game against MK Dons did not really show-off much of any defensive acumen, with the recently promoted Championship side not offering a significant threat, simply a class below their opposition. The most recent league game against Swansea, however, showed the full range of Dutch international’s talents. Heading home firmly for the first goal of the match, the defender demonstrated the ability that has earned him a reputation as a goalscorer and his defensive presence was on display throughout the match.
Manager Ronald Koeman has shown great confidence in the new signing, throwing him into the lineup after less than two weeks at the club. The Saints coach said when announcing the signing of the centre-back from Celtic that he believed van Dijk will only get stronger as the season progresses.
“He’s only 24, it’s his first season in the Premier League and he will get better” said Koeman.
Hear from goalscoring defender @VirgilvDijk following #SaintsFC‘s victory over the #Swans – https://t.co/Fe6sqCweiu https://t.co/Tlu49Flo3O
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 26, 2015
All in the Southampton defence have shown that they have the individual talent to make a difference and in combination could replicate last season’s brick wall backline. It seems consistency is vital though, equally showing how fragile they can be and how much damage that could cause.
With just three Premier League games under his belt it is hard to say with any certainty that Virgil van Dijk will be the catalyst for the Saints’ season, but that, like Alderweireld before him, he definitely has the potential. Defensively strong and an aerial target up front, it is easy to see how the centre-half could have major influence on the season. Though at 24-years of age and with no real background in the top echelon of football it could also turn out to be false promise.
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