Arsenal’s William Saliba named himself among the top three full-backs in the Premier League but insisted Virgil van Dijk is “the boss”.
Despite being 32 years old, Liverpool defender Van Dijk is still going strong and is respected by the Premier League’s younger centre-backs.
Among them is Arsenal’s Saliba, who helped Mikel Arteta’s side concede just 29 Premier League goals in 2023/24.
However, he still sees Van Dijk as someone who wants to play, despite Liverpool finishing seven points behind the Gunners.
I’m talking to The team, said: “Van Dijk has an aura, for example. He is the boss, he commands everything.
“You feel he scares the attackers, but I’m starting to feel the same way.”
Honestly, but perhaps not modestly, Saliba added: “I think I’m in the top three (defensive backs in the league), yes.
“We finished as the best defense, I watch a lot of games. I am a very modest person, but last season, as well as this season, I am among the three best defenders.”
It’s hard to argue with Salib on that point, however, as he still may not start for France at Euro 2024.
In their last friendly, a 3-0 win over Luxembourg, he started on the bench while Didier Deschamps played three at the back.
In his place were Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde and Ibrahima Konata from Liverpool. If the Reds defender stays fit, he is expected to start for the French.
This is likely to be a backlog for the Euros, although Deschamps’ recent selection has given reason to doubt that.
At the Euros, France faces a group that includes Poland, Austria and the Netherlands.
The latter should be the most difficult for them, with Van Dijk and co. with the aim of winning the first glory at the European Championship since 1988, when Germany also hosted the competition.
There could be four Liverpool players on the field when France take on the Netherlands on June 21 at 20:00 (BST), with Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch in the Dutch squad.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez will feature in Gareth Southgate’s plans for England, while Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai will captain Scotland and Hungary respectively.
Also, Portugal will invite Diogo Jota, and Vitezslav Jaroš will be the reserve goalkeeper in the Czech team.
