VVD borderline world class. .....
Even though I'm not naive enough to not know the way the market has now gone, I'm still very reticent to see my club splashing crazy stupid money on players. But if they ever do, then I can reason it far better for the very top echelon players that fit. And as you note, that fella', whether it's L'pool or someone else who pays £50/60 million or so, is worth the outlay. Instant game changer to any top side. Not least in England. Arguably the most dominant defender the league already who propped up Fonte two years back and made him look a heck of a lot better than what he's shown to be without him. Tall and great the air, both defending and attacking with the goals he scores, rapid pace, fearsome tackler and physical presence, composed on the ball ..... just a top. top all round defender who's a real leader both on the park and in the channgies as per everyone you hear talk on him that has played with/ managed/ coached him. Passionate and vocal along with his presence. I believe he's Southampton's 'team' captain just 2 years in which speaks volumes.
And he's still only 25 so his best years are all ahead of him.
I don't think he's borderline World class. I think he's in that conversation already and can only get more dominant.
A rapid, tall, composed, ball player defender who's a leader and dominant physical presence. He'd instantly bump any team he joined up another level. Not hard to see why all the top sides in England are, or have been, interested.
If you're going to pay top dollar, then he's as close as a guaranteed return as you're going to get on that.
Someone will get the best out there this summer when he leaves Southampton.