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Ake: De Ligt is a lot like Van Dijk

The Dutch defender has assessed his international team-mates ahead of two massive qualifiers for his nation

Nathan Ake thinks that Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt has all the same gifts as Ballon d'Or frontrunner Virgil van Dijk and hopes the Liverpool star goes onto be crowned the world's best player.

The Bournemouth defender has played alongside both of his fellow countrymen, with De Ligt also making the shortlist for football's most coveted individual award.

Van Dijk is more likely to lift the trophy, however, with the winner set to be announced in Paris on December 2.