Virgil van Dijk should win the PFA Player of the Year award as things stand, making it successive awards for the centre-back.
The Liverpool superstar has put together another imperious campaign at the heart of the Reds’ defence, cementing his reputation as the world’s most formidable defender.
Nothing has changed from last season – he is performing at exactly the same level for Liverpool.
He is averaging the same number of interceptions in the Premier League this time around (1.1), according to WhoScored, as well only narrowly committing more fouls per game (0.3 compared to 0.4). Similarly, his pass completion rate is only slightly inferior (89.7% compared to 88.7%).
On top of that, Van Dijk already has four goals to his name in the league – a total it took him the whole of 2018/19 to achieve.
In a season that has seen Liverpool reach unbelievable heights, there are a number of strong contenders for both the PFA Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year prizes, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne also meriting a mention, away from Merseyside.
Jordan Henderson is the current favourite for the gong, captaining the Reds in supreme fashion and producing a wonderful three months’ worth of form.
Sadio Mane was the standout figure before the turn of the year, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 10 assists from right-back highlight how influential he has been.
All three have been mentioned more than Van Dijk, but had he not been named PFA Player of the Year last season, I don’t believe that would be the case.
He would be earning endless, unrivalled plaudits for his displays – rightly so – because his lack of an award last year would be working in his favour.
Van Dijk has played every minute of league action this season, holding the team together while the likes of Alisson and Fabinho have been absent for long periods, further highlighting his influence.
So I ask the question: why should a player be punished for winning an award already?
If feels as though this could happen with Van Dijk this season, when deep down he is more deserving of winning the end-of-season prizes than anyone.
If his current form continues, he should replicate Thierry Henry and Ronaldo in winning the PFA Player of the Year award twice in a row.
That’s nothing against Henderson, Mane, Alexander-Arnold and numerous others – Van Dijk really is just that good.
