Why Man City and Chelsea Rejected the Chance to Sign Virgil van Dijk.
Former Scotland International Pat Nevin Reveals Why Manchester City and Chelsea Turned Down Liverpool Captain Virgil van Dijk
Former Scotland international Pat Nevin has shed light on why both Manchester City and Chelsea chose to pass on the opportunity to sign Virgil van Dijk before his eventual move to Liverpool. The Dutch defender has been a transformative figure for the Reds since arriving at Anfield in 2018, establishing himself as one of the best defenders in Premier League history.
Van Dijk has played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s resurgence, helping the club reclaim its position among Europe’s elite. Meanwhile, City and Chelsea, despite their successes, might have seen even greater dominance had they taken the chance on the defender during his earlier career. Nevin has now offered insight into why both clubs decided against signing the towering centre-back.
Nevin Claims Manchester City and Chelsea Were Reluctant to Sign Players From Celtic
According to Nevin, both Manchester City and Chelsea were hesitant to invest in Van Dijk due to his background in Scottish football and doubts about his consistency. The former Chelsea winger explained that both clubs were unconvinced by the defender during his time at Celtic, with concerns about his decision-making on the pitch.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sports, as per GOAL, Nevin said that the two clubs believed Van Dijk made too many mistakes. However, the 61-year-old suggested that these errors were a result of boredom rather than any lack of ability:
“When it comes to Premier League clubs being unsure over signing players from Scotland, I remember being told by Manchester City and Chelsea that Virgil van Dijk made too many mistakes – but that’s because he was bored.
“Can you imagine how different things might have been if Manchester City had signed Virgil van Dijk? He ended up at Southampton and then Liverpool, but teams didn’t want to pay the £10 million when he was at Celtic. Big money moves from Scotland to England are rare because teams are sceptical.”
Van Dijk’s Journey to Premier League Stardom
Despite the doubts, Van Dijk eventually made the move to Southampton, where he proved he could handle the demands of English football. His stellar performances at St Mary’s caught the attention of Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp sanctioning a then-world-record £75 million fee for a defender to bring him to Anfield. The rest, as they say, is history.
Van Dijk has since become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success, leading them to Premier League and Champions League glory. His dominance in defence, leadership qualities, and calmness on the ball have silenced any critics who questioned his ability earlier in his career.
Nevin’s revelations highlight how skepticism about players from the Scottish leagues can lead to missed opportunities. Manchester City and Chelsea’s reluctance to gamble on Van Dijk is now a decision that both clubs may look back on with regret, as the Dutchman continues to shine at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.
