13 Nov 2014 17:13:23
Bond/Ed007

Can I ask what your opinion of Virgil van Dijk is?

{Ed007's Note - Van Dijk has great potential and would be an immediate improvement on the likes of Smalling. He'll be the next big money sale from Celtic, he is a ball playing CB and has a lot of pace, he is as strong as an ox and solid in the tackle, he can bring the ball out from the back himself and he can pick a pass out but now and again he can be a bit indecisive on whether to play a pass or just clear the lines, I'd say that's just down to his lack of experience though, remember he only turned 23 in the summer. He also pitches in with goals from headers and can ping a mean free kick. VVD is one of the calmest CBs I have seen in a long time, at times in domestic games it looks like he is just cruising through the matches in 3rd gear he makes it look that easy and effortless, granted it's against SPFL standards but he's been solid enough in Europe for us as well throughout his time here.
He's been a bit out of sorts this season, he was hoping to move in the summer there but the club dug their heels and said he wasn't going anywhere but he seems to have accepted that and has looked back to him old self in recent matches, I think he's starting to see that our new manager can help him progress as a player but I'll be amazed if he's still in Scotland next season.
LVG didn't take him to the World Cup but he spoke to him personally and said that his time would come on the international stage, again I would think that was down to experience and that he had only played one season for Celtic in Europe and that was against Barca and AC Milan although I thought he played well in the CL for us, especially against Barca at Celtic Park - then they pumped us 6-1 in the Nou Camp!
With the right coaching van Dijk will become a top player, he's still a bit rough round the edges but he has all the attributes to play at a much higher level than the SPFL.
I know Youtube isn't ideal but this will give you an idea of his playing style and ability:

1.) 13 Nov 2014
13 Nov 2014 20:51:00
What an analysis. I m shouting out loud on his name since even summer transfer window opened. I was expecting lvg to make move for him but I got disappointed when window closed without we signed him. we badly need him. He is worthy replacement of Rio.

2.) 13 Nov 2014
Well based on that footage he seems to have all of the attributes you need - physically imposing, quick, reads the game well, good positioning and knows when to move with the ball and when to clear his lines.

Better option than Smalling, who looks like a deer in the headlights almost all of the time, and looks to have the sort of potential that good coaching and more competition week in week out would pay dividends.

One other question would be how durable is he / injury history etc?

I'd prefer to go this route than to go after Hummels.

If anyone knows about his potential vs. what else is under consideration, it should be LVG.

No excuses for not adding quality at the back in January.

{Ed007's Note - He's a fitness freak from what I've heard and off the top of my head I can't remember him missing any games through injury. He missed a match at the end of August/start of September because his wife was giving birth and the manager thought his head wasn't right after all the transfer speculation but that's it.
A quick check there and he missed 2 league matches all season in 2013-14 and played in every domestic cup and every CL game for us, and the 2 matches were missed because he was banned after getting a red card, there's no qualms over his fitness so far.}

3.) 13 Nov 2014
He reminds me a little of Yaya Toure with his deceptive pace and strength as well as is ability to drive forward with possession. Even his languid style is similar to Yaya's. He would be a very good player to have in defense.

4.) 13 Nov 2014
Sign him lvg!!

5.) 14 Nov 2014
I've watched a few matches he has played in, very comfortable on the ball good balance, strong lad, good in the air, the only thing is he sometimes just bombs forward and leaves a hole in defence, but if lvg signs him he will put a stop to that, great prospect, he would fit the bill with hummels beside him!

{Ed007's Note - He can be guilty of that but when you're playing for Celtic you spend most of your domestic matches on the front foot, it's easy enough for a CB to push forward without putting your defence in much danger. Most teams play one up front against Celtic and a 10 man defence so it's not easily exposed, the other CB and the holding MF is still picking up the one man, he'd definitely need to curtail it at a higher level.
I vaguely remember reading something when he signed for us that he could also comfortably play as a CDM but I've never seen him play that role for us, so he might have played there for Groningen at some point.

6.) 14 Nov 2014
Cheers Bond 👍

{Ed007's Note - No probs mate.}

7.) 14 Nov 2014
Always my concern with players from so called lesser leagues (and by this i mean below the top few teams) is that can they transfer there shown ability against better players consistently. In the case of Van Djilk all i have seen os on the CL front and on the whole he has looked good. If we were going with him (as a cheaper option) with a view that we also get an older head (more expensive maybe) next to him then that would be a good option.
Certainly would be an improvement in terms of durability and ability.

8.) 14 Nov 2014
Has he been in the Dutch squad at all yet ED? looks a right powerhouse!

{Ed007's Note - He's been called up a couple of times but has still to make his debut. He was left out of this squad because Hiddink wants to go with experienced players as he tries to hold onto his job.}

9.) 14 Nov 2014
14 Nov 2014 10:02:17
What is your opinion on Ronny Deila, 007? I don't watch the SPFL, but i'm interested in hearing your opinion (im from Norway). He played very exciting football with Stromsgodset, and I really want him to succeed. I have not seen a Norwegian manager in Europe playing good football.

{Ed007's Note - I've been impressed with RD so far, he got off to a bit of a stuttering start but he seems to be settling in and you can see things starting to change from the mess Neil Lennon left us in.}

10.) 14 Nov 2014
14 Nov 2014 12:46:03
I suggested him in the summer. Do we have any interest?

{Ed007's Note - Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City you name any team and they've had scouts up watching him.}