It has not been easy for Virgil van Dijk to be a central defender considered by many as the best in the world. Neil Warnock, who at the age of 73 announced in April that he would end his coaching career, only revealed in statements to the Daily Mirror an episode related to the Netherlands captain and that was, when Van Dijk is a member of Celtic (for signing from Groningen of almost 3 million euros), Crystal Palace doesn’t like him because he’s slow.
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Warnock, who managed the Palace at the time, explained to the media that Van Dijk had been offered the London club for approximately 6 million euros. But the signing did not take place because of the chief scout at Crystal Palace. “He told me that Van Dijk was too slow and went to Southampton. It’s a shame, because what he lacks in speed he does is in his ability to read the game, ”said Warnock, whose last team was Middlesbrough, whom he managed in the Championship (Second) in the 2020-21 season.
Warnock managed Crystal Palace in two seasons (2007-2010 and 2014) and it was in the second when he refused to sign Van Dijk, who in 2015 signed for Southampton for 16 million euros, almost triple the price he was offered at the Palace. In January 2018 he joined Liverpool for 85 million, making him the best defender in the world at the time.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
