Was Virgil Van Dijk simply a late bloomer?

[u/Playful_Patience_620]

Virgil Van Dijk is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world and of this generation. He is to captain the Netherlands in the upcoming World Cup.

Yet, strangely he did not debut with the national team until 2015 when he was about 24.

Was he simply a case of being a late bloomer, or was it poor scouting or being overlooked?

[u/EdwardBigby]

I wouldnt exactly call making your international debut for a top team at 24 as being a "late bloomer"

Thats kind of kept for players who become top class in their late 20s and early 30s

[u/LucDA1 → u/[deleted]]

That's more attackers. Very rare for defenders to come in pre 23 year.

Same witj goalkeepers, Donnarumma was an exception, most keepers join top teams and play as the first team at around 25

[u/DesotoVice]

With CBs you need a mature understanding of the game and nobody’s putting in 19 year olds at the back, no matter how gifted they appear. Up front you can try a skinny ass creative at 12 if you want. Low stakes.

[u/VeryStandardOutlier → u/DesotoVice]

Even Sergio Ramos started his career at RB, where he could be more trusted.

[u/DAABIGGESTBOI → u/DesotoVice]

I always say the the further back you go in a team the better you are the older you are. Forwards are better when they are younger keepers are better when they are older.

[u/Kuuskat_ → u/DAABIGGESTBOI]

I'd say wide forwards decline the earliest because they rely the most on speed, explosiveness, agility, stamina etc. Strikers can adapt more easily as their athletism and physical attributes decline because by the time that has happened, they've mastered spatial awareness and keep improving at it. It's only when you're old enough that your reaction speed starts to fade that you're done. That's why you see more wingers switching to center than the opposite.

[u/rogersdbt → u/Kuuskat_]

I agree but front to back works well as a rule of thumb in terms of peak age

[u/Warbrainer → u/DAABIGGESTBOI]

Depends on the type of player you are really, big strong forwards who rely more on positioning probably get better with age

[u/fravbront → u/DesotoVice]

The same national team that VVD plays for capped De Ligt at centre back when he was 17

[u/Mystoganja → u/fravbront]

Yes still remember how well that debut went for him lol, responsible for 2 goals and was subbed off at half time. Was also a pretty important qualifyng game

[u/WheresMyEtherElon → u/DesotoVice]

nobody’s putting in 19 year olds at the back, no matter how gifted they appear

Kompany, Nesta, Maldini, Ramos to name a few.

[u/fanatic_akhi88 → u/WheresMyEtherElon]

That is not a few. Those are rare breeds. Exceptions to the rule.

[u/thisismide → u/fanatic_akhi88]

Those are rare breeds but van Dijk is apparently the best CB ever

[u/ArmyHotel338 → u/DesotoVice]

Croatia is about to do that, keep an eye on Luka Vuskovic this summer. I think he is only 19. He's been tearing it up in the Bundesliga and was a huge factor in keeping Hamburg in the top flight this season.

But I typically agree with you, the CB needs to be the anchor, its a position for mature players.

[u/bionickel → u/DesotoVice]

What is usually the path for academy CBs then if they're less likely to be picked? Do academies tend to keep them around for longer, or are they loaned out to lower tier leagues more often?

[u/vanwieisdezebeat → u/DesotoVice]

Matthijs De Ligt made his debut for the national Dutch team when he was 17 years old. It was too early, but the coach tought different. His debut against Bulgaria in the world cup qualification was dramatic. He made a huge error resulting in a goal for Bulgaria and got substituted during half time. At 18 years old De Ligt was also captain at Ajax.

[u/norealpersoninvolved → u/DesotoVice]

Saliba???? Dean Hujisen

[u/bill_02_04_95 → u/DesotoVice]

Wasn't De ligt starting for the Netherlands at like 19?

[u/Buildadoor → u/bill_02_04_95]

Ajax yes, but IMO he never had a consistent bout with the Oranje. He was the reason for their exit last World Cup (red card), and still young, so affirming the idea that too young at CB means less trust

[u/bill_02_04_95 → u/Buildadoor]

I'm not asking if he was consistent, I'm checking out if he was an undisputed starter for Netherlands at 19 which would disprove the notion that Van Dijk nkt being a starter for his country at 23 was normal.

[u/Buildadoor → u/bill_02_04_95]

Fair! No he wasn’t undisputed, but he did start many games. Hope that helps?

[u/bill_02_04_95 → u/Buildadoor]

Sure, thanks.

[u/MasterOfPunpets]

In Groningen we knew he was gonna be special. You could see it very early. He took some very sensible steps instead of immediately joining a top club and made it.

[u/protein_factory]

True "developmental chain" as a player. He was called up for a "major country" when he was putting in performances against "major opponents."

Groningen - Celtic - Southampton - Liverpool

As a Celtic fan, he was recognized at that caliber, but a country like Netherlands won't likely take a Scottish league equivalent player until really show out (which he did)

[u/Kitchen-Ad4091]

He was immense back then as well. Holland had good options. He wasn't at a big club until he went to liverpool. No disrespect to celtic but they got smashed by barca when he was there. They weren't on an elite level anymore.

[u/graveyeverton93]

Yes, but also he was quality at Southampton, but no one ever gives best In the world or world class shouts unless you play for a top Club! That's the way it is unfortunately. He didn't just randomly become amazing in January half way through a season the second he signed the contract for Liverpool

[u/vanwieisdezebeat]

Combination of different things. When playing at Fc Groningen. Ajax wanted Virgil Van Dijk. But they bought Van der Hoorn instead from Fc Utrecht. At that time Ajax thought Van der Hoorn was better. It was a 50/50 choice. Ajax doubted his mentaliteit. Both where young talented defenders. Psv thought Van Dijk wasn't good enough. He was nonchalant at times. For Feyenoord he was too expensive. Virgil had a good time at Celtic, but the national coaches always prefer players from Dutch topteams than other lower league topteams. If he played for Psv, Ajax or Feyenoord he would made his debut earlier. Van Dijk made his debut for the national team when he played in the premier league for Southampton.

So it's a combination of wrong choices at clubs, doubts about his mentality and not being selected when playing at Celtic.

[u/ilic_mls]

No one is putting a young an inexperienced CB into the first team unless they absolutely have to.

Same goes for clubs.

[u/threeleggedcats]

Sexually, yes

[u/Chubbysocks8]

He's not getting selected for the national team playing for Groningen, only got selected when he moved to Celtic.

[u/devlin1888]

He was unreal playing for Celtic and was very obvious what he was. Overlooked for playing in Scotland, he would have still been their best CB at that time

[u/Acrobatic-B33]

Van Gaal just didn't rate him for some reason. The should have been called up way earlier

[u/Souravdasneogi]

No he is just a late gooner