Tottenham Hotspur’s new striker, Dominic Solanke, recently opened up about the toughest defender he has faced in his career, singling out Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk as his most challenging opponent.
During a fan Q&A session with Sky Sports, Solanke praised the Dutch centre-back, lauding his strength, composure, and all-around defensive capabilities.
Solanke emphasised Van Dijk’s dominance on the field, describing him as “big, strong, good on the ball, aggressive”—qualities that make him one of the best defenders in modern football.
He reflected on the difficulty of facing Van Dijk, noting that the Liverpool star has consistently been a formidable presence in every match they’ve played against each other.
Solanke said:
“Probably say Van Dijk, he’s just got everything—big, strong, good on the ball, aggressive. Yeah, I think he’s definitely one of the best defenders of our time, and, I’d probably say he’s probably the most difficult.”
Who is the hardest defender Dominic Solanke has come up against in his career? 💪 pic.twitter.com/4mebbUXVQe
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 9, 2024
Solanke, who made the switch to Spurs this summer in a big money transfer from Bournemouth, has encountered some top defenders in his career. His acknowledgment of Van Dijk reflects the respect he holds for the elite defenders in the game.
The 26-year-old striker started at Chelsea, then moved to Liverpool before finding success at Bournemouth. Last season, Solanke had a stellar campaign, netting 19 goals in 38 matches and earning the Premier League Player of the Month award in January.
Now under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, Solanke is expected to be a key figure in Spurs’ attacking setup as they push for success in both domestic and European competitions.
