Premier League Best Defenders at Halfway Mark
RB- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace): Before the season commenced, not many of us had ever heard of this teenager, but boy hasn’t he come good for Roy Hodgson’s Eagles.
He has justified my decision to select him in my line up for Europe’s Best U-21 XI. Bissaka is such a natural. Those who’ve been around long enough should know his comfort on the front foot is a reminder of Brazil’s 1986 World Cup right back Josimar.
CB- Joe Gomez (Liverpool): Not even injuries sidelining upcoming Three Lions behemoth Gomez can stop me from naming him to my side.
His timing in the tackle and recovery pace is why Liverpool have gone from defensive shambles to a side synonymous with synchronized stability at the back.
It takes special talent for a 22-year-old to keep Croatia’s World Cup losing finalist Dejan Lovren out of Jurgen Klopp’s table toppers but Gomez is doing just that. He’s in my team ahead of Manchester City’s Frenchman Aymeric Laporte.
CB- Virgil van Dirk (Liverpool): Easy choice.
Undoubtedly the best defender in the Premier League, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has already handed van Dirk the national team’s armband. Klopp might have to follow suit.
Virgil van Dirk is Liverpool’s on pitch leader; setting an example with his organisational prowess and determination to keep clean sheets.
Liverpool’s defensive stats since signing this 6ft 5 inch Dutch machine more than justifies his £75m price tag as the world’s most expensive defender.
LB- Andy Robertson (Liverpool): Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was spot on in his assessment of Scotland international Andy Robertson, when in the aftermath of his side’s 1-3 capitulation to Liverpool, he complained about feeling dizzy from the frequency of Robertson’s marauding runs down the left hand channel.
So solid have been this brave heart’s displays, diehard Liverpudians are choosing him over legendary Norwegian John Arne Riise.
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