'Van Dijk can't lace John Terry's and Rio Ferdinand's boots', says ex-defender with 66 EPL apps and 0 trophies

Former Chelsea and Tottenham defender Jason Cundy, who made a grand total of 66 First Divison / Premier League appearances for both London clubs combined, has launched a scathing attack on Virgil van Dijk.

“I think he’s overrated personally. I think there’s a lot of media love in with what Van Dijk has done. There’s no doubt he’s a brilliant centre-half, he makes too many mistakes – mistakes that I think go unnoticed,” Cundy told talkSPORT.

“There was a goal they conceded when they went out a couple of seasons ago during covid in the Champions League and he has this languid style of run. He seems to try and bide time but he doesn’t react.”

“He was dragging down [Dominic] Solanke. That’s poor centre-half play even though he’s on the other side.

“I think he’s had a good 18 months and I know the injury has had an impact on that. But that goal [by Phillip Billing] was not about the injury. Once he [Solanke] gets away from him on that right side, he [Van Dijk] seems to stop and misjudge the situation.

“People compare him with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, he’s not in the same league – he can’t lace their boots.”