Jerome Boateng rates Van Dijk among best defenders in the world

Published on: 26 June 2020

Jerome Boateng has rated Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk among the best defenders in the world.

The Netherlands international has been one of Liverpool's outstanding performers this season, helping them win 28 of their 31 games played in the league.

He was runner-up in last year’s Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi, is a Champions League winner, and now a League champion with the Reds.

"He is up there with his consistent performance," Boateng said during a Bayern 'Fan-Talk'. "But I also like [Kalidou] Koulibaly from Napoli. [Sergio] Ramos from Real Madrid has been playing at a high level for a long time."

Boateng has won his place back at Bayern this season, impressing alongside David Alaba at the heart of defence after Hansi Flick replaced Niko Kovac as head coach to guide the Bavarian giants to an eighth consecutive Bundesliga title.

"Since Hansi Flick became coach, you feel good in training and in everything. The fun and good mood are back," he explained. "Hansi is very special, otherwise he would not be so successful with the team.

"He gives us a lot of trust, everyone. He wants to improve everyone and he does that. He gives us an incredible amount of self-confidence."

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