Everton hero names the best three centre-backs in the Premier League

Virgil van Dijk still gets the nod for the best centre-back in the Premier League, according to Everton and Bolton hero Alan Stubbs.

The 33-year-old has starred at the back for Liverpool since 2018 and has been in the English top flight since joining Southampton in 2015.

The Dutchman may only have one Premier League title to his name, but has long been considered one of the division’s best performers and Stubbs reckons he is still the best in his position.

‘Virgil is a Rolls Royce of a centre back,’ Stubbs told BestBettingSites.com. ‘He ticks all the boxes in everything that you want from a modern-day centre back. He’s quick, he’s strong. He reads the game well, he’s very comfortable on the ball, and he’s a leader.

‘I don’t see a huge amount of leaders in the game right now, and I think Virgil is certainly up there with the most authoritative players in the Premier League in terms of leadership skills.

‘He plays with a confidence and gravitas that world-class players have, and he’s earned that respect over the years from his fellow professionals.

‘He’s the type of defender that lives rent free in the mind of a striker before the whistle even blows because of his amazing ability. He’s a centre-back with fantastic qualities.’

Stubbs, who also won two Scottish Premier Division titles with Celtic, reckons Arsenal’s centre-backs join Van Dijk on the podium for best in the top flight.

WIlliams Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a formidable partnership at the back for the Gunners and Stubbs has been very impressed, so much so that he fancies Arsenal to win the title this season.

‘After Virgil, it would have to be William Saliba and Gabriel at Arsenal,’ said the former Hibs manager.

‘They have formed the best centre-back pairing in the league and they love keeping clean sheets. They’re the backbone of Arsenal’s team and are one of the reasons why I’ve tipped them to win the title this season.’

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