Wim Kieft rates Virgil van Dijk higher than legendary Ruud Krol

Former striker Wim Kieft let it slip in the podcast KieftJansenEgmondGijp that he sees Virgil van Dijk of equal or even higher status than the old Dutch national team defender Ruud Krol. Kieft, who was a great fan of Krol, emphasizes that Van Dijk’s heading power and speed make him a superior defender. He says, “In my view Krol is sacred, he was one of my idols.” But I think Van Dijk might actually be a better defender.” He continues: “With the head and speed. Krol obviously had an aura around him, that was not normal. That shirt over his trousers and he also really had a long ball… Not normal.”

Kieft points out that Krol played 83 caps for the Netherlands, won three Champions Leagues and also appeared for Ajax and Napoli. Yet he believes that Krol’s career ended too early and that he moved to Vancouver at the age of 30 and later to Napoli, whereas Kieft thinks he should have stayed on the top stage earlier.

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For Van Dijk, Kieft counts the 98 caps that the defender has already earned. The captain of the Netherlands national team faces Greece on Thursday evening in the Nations League and can reach his hundredth cap three days later against Serbia.