6 months ago
128 Callum Wilson has been discussing the toughest defenders he has ever come up against.
The Newcastle striker has a fantastic goalscoring record in the Premier League, but there are certain players he’s struggled to get the better of over the years.
Speaking to the BBC, Wilson has named his three toughest opponents, and, inevitably, Virgil van Dijk got a mention.
While many players have complimented Van Dijk for his speed or his ability to read a game, Wilson says that he struggles against the Dutchman due to his sheer size, claiming that he simply can’t move him on the pitch.
READ MORE: Vincent Kompany has recently praised Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is too big for Callum Wilson
Wilson spoke about Van Dijk and how difficult he finds it to play against the Liverpool star.
“Three toughest defenders I have faced?
“I’d say number two, Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool. He’s a big unit. When you back in and you’re moving people around, he’s a heavy guy, so he’s not really moving.
Van Dijk is immovable
If you’re a striker who tries to bully opposition defenders into moving out of position, you’re going to have a tough time against Van Dijk.
The Dutchman may well be the strongest defender on the planet – Harry Kane said similar just this week.
Even the likes of Romelu Lukaku have struggled to shrug Van Dijk off over the years, and, with all due respect, Wilson doesn’t have that same level of physicality.
Van Dijk is absolutely huge, and while his game is about so much more than just being a big defender, the fact that he is so big and so strong certainly helps him dominate any striker who comes up against them.
Van Dijk is one of the best defenders in Premier League history, and it’s not a shock to hear Wilson say he struggles playing against him.
