#who needs a striker when you have merino??

[kattt-5865]

MERINOOOOOO

[torentialtribute]

From Groningen to Merseyside: How Van Dijk overcame illness to become world’s best

At the age of 18, a long, sloppy and unpolished central defender made the 160-mile journey from Breda to the north and Groningen

For Virgil van Dijk, it was a leap into the unknown, but it was also the act of a young football player because he was afraid that the game would leave him. 2010, & # 39; says Groningen director Hans Nijland. & # 39; He was not a professional at his previous club Willem. He was an amateur and did not get the contract. One of our scouts saw him in an academy competition.

The story of Virgil van Dijk started with Groningen, where he made his first footsteps in football <img id = "i-7892f9f797e6dcc7" src = "https : //i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/29/15/11623290-6865149-image-m-71_1553872381762.jpg "height =" 523 "width =" 634 "alt =" The story of Virgil van Dijk started with Groningen, where he made his first footsteps in football "<img id =" i-7892f9f797e6dcc7 "src =" https://ift.tt/2Ywzods 11623290-6865149-image-m-71_1553872381762.jpg "height =" 523 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-7892f9f797e6dcc7" src = "https://ift.tt/2UINeHc /2019/03/29/15/11623290-6865149-image-m-71_1553872381762.jpg "height =" 523 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-7892f9f797e6dcc7" src = "https: // i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/29/15/11623290-6865149-image-m-71_1553872381762.jpg "height =" 523 "width =" 634 "alt =" The story of Virgil van Dijk began with Groningen, where he made his first footsteps in the football

<img id = "i-8a2fee9a0909f83d" src = "https://ift.tt/2Ywzphw -image-a-72_1553872394048.jpg "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt =" Van Dijk was spotted by Groningen scouts during an academy competition and quickly took "class =" blkBorder img-share

Van Dijk was spotted by scouts from Groningen during an academy competition and quickly took "class =" blkBorder img-share "/> spotted by Groningen scouts during an academy competition and quickly taken over

& # 39; We threw the dice. A small contract, maybe € 1500 per month. We put him in an apartment, but he didn't have a car the first year. I cycled to training. Frankly, I don't know what would happen if we didn't catch him. "

Relief must be felt by Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. Van Dijk became the most expensive defender in the world in January 2018 when I signed up for a £ 75 million transfer from Southampton.

Van Dijk has changed Liverpool from pretenders to contenders, he has brought collective and individual strength, and considering these statistics, since Van Dijk signed for Liverpool, his team played 48 games in the Premier League, lost only four and only scored 32 goals. is that no player has successfully passed Van Dijk this season, Newcastle & Mikel Merino was the last to do so in March 2018.

It therefore seems extraordinary that the high degree of suitability of Van Dijk has been questioned for much of his career, Willem was not the only club to underestimate his talent, and after two seasons in Groningen, Van Dijk moved to Ce ltic for a transfer of £ 2.8 million.

<img id = "i-e3513441765db113" src = "https://ift.tt/2HZdPMO 15 / 11623310-6865149-image-a-73_1553872409353.jpg "height =" 422 "width =" 634 "alt =" [Met Celtic Van] with Celtic Van Dijk got his first European move, but Groningen could only get £ 2.8 million "

Van Dijk got his first European move, but Groningen could only get £ 2.8 million

<img id =" i-2f01314128bddfb9 "src =" https://ift.tt/2TJpTUL "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt = "Quickly a name for himself in Scottish football, Van Dijk was in the race for honor" class = "blkBorder img-

Quickly a name for himself in Scottish football, Van Dijk was in the race for honor Van Dijk was in the race for awards

& # 39; the only club for him & # 39 ;, says Nijland. & # 39; We met Celtic at the Hilton hotel in Amsterdam. We were hoping for £ 5 million, but there was no auction. Ajax & # 39; s Marc Overmars called me and asked my opinion. & # 39; Who is better to unsubscribe from Mike van der Hoorn or Van Dijk? & # 39; It was clear to me. "

Ajax ignored his words. They chose to replace the tottenham-bound Toby Alderweireld with Mike van der Hoorn, who now plays for the Swansea Championship. PSV Eindhoven instead melted for Jeffrey Bruma

Even with Celtic, not everyone was convinced, Scout Neil McGuinness identified Van Dijk as a target.

McGuinness recalls: & # 39; Virgil had all the tools to be successful. Pace, power, technique, aerial skills and 1v1 defensive timing, tackles and assessment.

& # 39; I was enthusiastic about him from the start, but it was hard to get people on board internally who disagreed were different opinions.

& # 39; Eventually I had to speed up the player and show it directly to manager Neil Lennon and assistant Johan Mjallby. I was afraid we would lose him if we didn't act quickly. & # 39;

<img id = "i-d6cc03f7665b1952" src = "https://ift.tt/2YzkjYF -a-78_1553872587653.jpg "height =" 427 "width =" 634 "alt =" Southampton took Van Dijk and brought him to the Premier League class

Southampton takes a chance on Van Dijk and brings him to the Premier League

The Dutchman has adapted.

For Van Dijk, life has not always been a bit ightforward. He is a private person and some of those who interviewed Sportsmail this week requested his permission to do so.

Van Dijk is disturbed by the heads around his family. He stays close to his mother Ruby but breaks with his father after a bitter break between his parents. Virgil decorates the back of his sweater.

In Groningen I started a replacement on the reserve team. Manager Peter Huistra remembers: & # 39; The coach worked very strictly with him. It cannot be that two of the five sessions per week are not 100 percent. He became more professional. He left his comfort zone and did things for himself. Some players hate it and never get used to it. He got out.

His first appearances came as an emergency striker. But the most disturbing days of Van Dijk came to Groningen when he became seriously ill.

His manager Peter Huistra remembers: & # 39; it seemed creepy in the beginning. Then he hurried to the hospital. He was in intensive care. "

Van Dijk awoke his teammate Tim Keurntjes in the early hours of the morning and the couple went to the hospital. They were sent away. Then the instincts of a mother took over. Ruby drove from Tilburg and took over Van Dijk suffered appendicitis, peritonitis, and kidney problems.

Jurgen Klopp was determined to take Van Dijk to Anfield and made him his number 1 target to bring Van Dijk to Anfield and made him his number 1 goal "/>

Jurgen Klopp was determined to take Van Dijk brought to Anfield and made him his number 1 target

& I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. & # 39;

The disease changed Van Dijk & # 39; s approach to life. Former teammate Kees Kwakman explains: & # 39; Some people thought he was a bit too fat before. He became fitter after the operation.

[1945] He was a young fellow who had never cooked for himself and now lived away from home and perhaps ate junk food. 9002] & # 39; The injury was a wake-up call. I thought, "If I really want to do something, I can be a real professional."

After impressing Celtic, Van Dijk took another sensible step, bridging his transition to the elite by joining mobile Southampton and Ronald Koeman.

Nijland laughs: & # 39; Koeman called me: "Hans, you can drink a glass of wine with your wife because we bought Virgil." Fantastic! We had a 10% sales clause in Groningen. From the transfer in Liverpool we took another 1%.

At each of his clubs, Van Dijk was always honest about his ambitions to make another leap. He is captain of anything but name in Liverpool and wears the bracelet for his country. Kwakman played next to him in the middle of the half.

I kept thinking "He's too good for us." I have never seen anyone come by during his training. Impossible. I couldn't stand to lose. Really bad. He was one of the first to say something in the dressing room. The boys accepted it because it was so good and because I wanted to help. It was about high standards.

I was one of the fighters to get Virgil into the national team. When he was with Celtic, I kept tweeting asking why he wasn't in the Dutch team. The Netherlands struggled for central defenders in 2014 and 2015. Nobody in the Netherlands watches Scottish football on television. I'm really proud of him.

His mentality was further challenged in Southampton when he suffered a broken foot, but he barely missed a beat in Liverpool.

Van Dijk has become more powerful and Liverpool has turned Liverpool into contenders at all levels "

Going from strength to strength Van Dijk has turned Liverpool into contenders at all levels"

Van Dijk has come into effect and has made Liverpool rivals at all levels

He told Sportsmail this week: & # 39; I really progress as a player, become more mature and get consistency. Jurgen works closely with me and improves my game. I play almost every game and enjoy every bit of it. I feel that I am the most fit in my career so far and hopefully I can stay that way. We are on schedule. "

For Liverpool, who has lost Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho to Catalonia in recent years, there is only one fear.

Kwakman remembers: & # 39; I remember him in an interview in Groningen saying that Barcelona was his dream, he is 27. He must also be lucky.

& # 39; But if Barcelona signs Matthijs de Ligt, they probably don't need Virgil. departs and Barcelona is lying around a free £ 150m, they might be able to take it along! & # 39;

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[junker-town]

Newcastle

Projected starting XI

Rob Elliot; Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Florian Lejune, DeAndre Yedlin; Jonjo Shelvey, Mikel Merino; Christian Atsu, Siem De Jong, Matt Ritchie; Dwight Gayle

How do you feel about your club's summer transfer business?

After frustration from a "slow start" to the window, I think fans are pleased with the signings we have made. Although I do believe fans were expecting more because our glorious owner Mike Ashley promised Rafa Benitiez every penny the club had. Fans went into this window expecting a spending spree similar to two years ago where NUFC purchased the likes of Florian Thauvin, Alexander Mitrovic and Georgino Wijnaldum. This as well as the fact that Chief Scout and French enthusiast, Graham Carr was removed from his position, giving Benitez complete control of transfers had fans expecting Newcastle to spend more than the £31million they have spent. All of the signings we have made have been under £13 million, but all of them have looked impressive in the preseason.

The issue with this window has nothing to do with the signings but the sense that Mike Ashley is once again not willing to invest in this club. Fans right now are frustrated that Newcastle did not want to meet the £13.4 million valuation for Arsenal's Lucas Perez, a cheap price in this inflated market for a player who fans believe would thrive under Benitez. Stories like this, as well as missing out on players such Andreas Samaris, Ruben Semedo, and William Carvalho have discouraged fans from thinking Newcastle has any money. These claims have been backed up by the fact that Rafa's only comments on the window are that he has missed out on targets he wants, and that in order to move forward we need to sell players. Players such as Massido Haidara and Emmanuel Riviere are on ridiculously high wages (#ThanksGrahamCarr) and refuse to take a salary cut to move on from the club. All in all, this window could have been better and could be better with the selling of players who Rafa wants out of here.

Are you happy with ownership? Elated? Cautiously optimistic? Furious?

Ashley has never been popular at Newcastle and this summer has done him no favors. In addition to what seems like a broken promise regarding transfers, it seems as if Ashley does not understand that Newcastle is a big club. He refuses to expand St. James' Park even though Newcastle has sold 45,000 season tickets and had to stop selling season tickets to leave room for single-game/away supporter tickets. Ashley still believes it is better to get bargain players than invest in proven talent, and is still very much a control freak when it comes to the club. Many fans are hoping and praying he sells the club so that NUFC can reach it's full potential.

What's the highest reasonable goal your team has and what needs to go right to get there?

Rafa wants to be the first team outside of the fabulously wealthy clubs to 40 points, and the only thing stopping him is injuries. Rafa has the tactics to deconstruct the team, but this team is relatively thin squad in terms of PL quality. We cannot afford to lose Rolando Aarons, Siem De Jong and others for multiple games if he wants to be the first to 40.

Who's a player on your team that neutrals might not know much about, but should become fans of?

Matt Ritchie was arguably one of our best players last season with 12 goals and 7 assists. He is an exciting quick winger who is excellent on the ball and loves to cut inside and take the shot or lay it off for a striker. Ritchie also is one of Newcastle's set-piece specialists, and he has the ability to score from many different dangerous positions. He has already had a wonderful preseason and his good form will definitely continue into the season.

Who will be your team's MVP this season, and why?

Jonjo Shelvey is hands down our best player on the pitch. He is solid defensively in midfield and has been the spark that begins the majority of Newcastle's attack. After a wonderful campaign last season, Shelvey has come back leaner, stronger, faster and hungry for EPL football. This season could see Shelvey being considered for the England World Cup squad, and he knows this. Expect him to dominate this season.

What do you think makes your team's fan culture better than any other team's?

The fans. We broke our season attendance record last year despite being dropped down a division. Let that sink in for a moment.  You can only expect the same amount of dedication from the fans in our return to Premiership. They have already shown up and have been the dominant crowd at every preseason game so far. Geordies have a passion like no other fan base, and everybody knows this. Howay the Lads!

[kattt-5865]

WHO NEEDS A STRIKER WHEN YOU HAVE MIKEL MERINO