Virgil van Dijk’s former teammate picks out ideal replacement for Liverpool captain

Virgil van Dijk’s former team-mate Jose Fonte has spoken about the Liverpool captain (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

The Reds have been informed who would be the most suitable replacement for Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Jose Fonte, Virgil van Dijk’s former centre-back partner, thinks Sven Botman of Newcastle is the best person to take his place at Anfield in the future.

At Southampton, Fonte and Van Dijk had a strong working relationship that contributed to the team’s 2016 sixth-place Premier League result under Ronald Koeman. However, both left within two years, with Fonte going to West Ham and his teammate, a centre-back, joining Liverpool for £75 million.

In 2021, Van Dijk extended his contract with Liverpool and took over as captain following Jordan Henderson’s departure. However, if an agreement cannot be struck by the end of the season, he will be entitled to go for nothing when his current contract expires in 2025.

Fonte thinks the Netherlands international has plenty of time left at the top after watching Van DIjk blossom after joining Southampton from Celtic in 2015. However, he thinks Botman might be the solution if Liverpool ever needs a replacement.

“I’d love to see Sven Botman replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool and I think he has the ability to do it,” Fonte stated to JeffBet. As Lille won Ligue 1 in 2021, the Portugal international played alongside a youthful Botman. The Dutchman then moved to England the following year.

“We won the league together in France and like Van Dijk, he is a monster,” Fonte stated. He plays as the left centre defender, is tall, skilled in duels, likes a tackle, is aggressive, and is still a young player. I only hope he can recover from his injuries and maintain his health; if he does, Liverpool will undoubtedly take him into consideration.”

In the 2022–2023 season, Botman, 24, was a mainstay for Newcastle, who finished fourth in the Premier League. However, he hasn’t played this season yet after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in March.

Sven Botman has impressed during his time with Newcastle ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Three Liverpool players, including Van Dijk, have contracts that expire at the end of the current campaign. There are still concerns about him, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah, but Fonte, who is 40 years old and still playing, thinks his former teammate can do the same.

“I’d back Virgil van Dijk to play into his 40s because although he still has pace, he would be able to adapt in his positioning and anticipate the game even better as years go on,” he stated. It will just depend on what he wants to accomplish with his career because playing at the top level can be very taxing. If he keeps fit and doesn’t get hurt, he should be able to play into his 40s.

“Every day you have to work so hard. He is one of the best specimens I have ever seen, yet he is a monster physically. As a centre back, he is a complete player who wins all of his headers and duels quickly. He is also skilled with the ball.