Virgil van Dijk is enjoying a strong season with Southampton and his coach, Claude Puel, believes his potential is huge.
Claude Puel hailed Southampton's centre-backs' form this season but reserved special praise for Virgil van Dijk, whom he believes can become one of the world's best defenders.
Despite losing Ronald Koeman to Everton in the close-season, Southampton have started the season brightly under Puel as they sit ninth after 10 Premier League games and beat Inter on Thursday to keep up their quest for Europa League progression.
Saints' defensive sturdiness has been a major contributor on both fronts, with only Tottenham, Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea conceding fewer than their 10 in the Premier League.