Claude Puel: Van Dijk Not For Sale
Southampton manager, Claude Puel, has insisted that captain, Virgil Van Dijk, is not for sale and that any rumours about a move to other Premier League clubs are unfounded.
Even though Van Dijk has been out of action since the beginning of the year due to an ankle injury, reports have still suggested that major EPL clubs have shown interest in acquiring the centre back.
Puel told reporters on Sunday, after Southampton’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, that Van Dijk is an important part of the team and that he is not going anywhere.
“He has a long contract and the directors want to keep him…he has authority, the leadership of the team, he is a fantastic player [sic],” Puel told reporters.
He continued, saying that Southampton will have to wait until the end of the season and the start of the next one to bring Van Dijk back on the field.
“It’s important for us, of course, to wait until the beginning of the season to see him on the pitch with Southampton…It was a bad injury for him and for us, because it was not a good moment…It’s a good thing to see for the second part of the season Stephens and Yoshida at this level, but for Virgil it was a bad injury…Now it’s okay. His surgery is finished, he can work normally, he can start in the gym the work to come back for next season, ready for next season with us [sic],” he said.
It has been reported that big Premier League clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City and current leaders, Chelsea, have shown interest in acquiring the services of Van Dijk.
