Jamie Carragher is wrong and seven Premier League icons are better than Virgil van Dijk

Jamie Carragher has put himself in the spotlight after claiming Virgil van Dijk has been better than Premier League icons such as Nemanja Vidic and John Terry. The Liverpool star has experienced a dip in form this season, sparking criticism in the process. However, he’s now been defended after struggling during the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

In a series of tweets, Carragher made his stance on Van Dijk clear.

“VVD is far better than Vidic, who was a top CB, but have you forgot his performances against Torres?” he said. “Rio & JT had poor seasons in their career like all players, VVD is having one now. No CB in the PL era has ever had VVD’s impact on a team.”

In a second tweet, he added: “Never mind the best CB in the league, he’s been the best player in the league along with KDB for four years before this one.

“We have never spoken about about other CB’s being the best player before, that shows the level he was at.”

And, responding to a sceptic, he then replied: “If you or anyone thinks Vidic is better than VVD you’re not watching the same game! He’s miles better!!”

Van Dijk has been brilliant and deserves to be mentioned along with the very best. Express Sport now takes a look at seven who are better than the Netherlands international, however.

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John Terry

Terry is a divisive person, with many pointing to the controversies that plagued his career.

But the Chelsea icon is the very best to have graced the Premier League, having flourished during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Terry won three league titles playing under Jose Mourinho, as well as crowns under Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte as well.

The 42-year-old also claimed five FA Cup trophies, as well as the Champions League and Europa League as well.

With 41 Premier League goals and 214 clean sheets, no other defender in the top flight’s entire history comes close.

Nemanja Vidic

Vidic did have the odd off day, as Carragher pointed out.

But too much has been made about his time facing Fernando Torres, with the Serbia international allowing the Spain international to score just three times from 15 matches.

Not much was known about Vidic when he moved to Manchester in January 2006.

Yet he’d proceed to become an icon at Manchester United, claiming five league titles and the Champions League in 2008 among other pieces of silverware.

Vidic was also a key part of the United team that didn’t concede for 14 matches on the trot, too.

Ricardo Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho is a name that often goes under the radar.

In the eyes of some Chelsea fans, however, he was even better than Terry when operating at the peak of his powers.

Carvalho joined Chelsea in the summer of 2004, moving to play under Mourinho, and was a rock at the back as they dominated the top flight.

In six years at Stamford Bridge, the Portugal international won eight major trophies – as well as the Community Shield twice.

Carvalho is certainly a player worthy of being on the list.

Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand often makes the headlines these days as a pundit for BT Sport.

But the Manchester United icon was one of the very best centre-backs of his generation, something that can’t be disputed.

Ferdinand and Vidic was the best defensive pairing the league has ever seen, with United winning five league titles in eight years with the duo together.

He did experience a rocky start upon moving to Old Trafford from Leeds in 2002.

But Ferdinand is regarded as one of United’s greatest ever defenders and rightly so.

Tony Adams

Arsenal, back in the day, were a team full of beautiful bruisers.

And Tony Adams epitomised them, with the 56-year-old uncompromising and solid while playing for the Gunners at their old Highbury home.

Adams won two league titles with Arsenal after the creation of the Premier League, and two when it was formerly known as Division One.

He also claimed nine other trophies, too, if you count the Community Shield and Football League Centenary Trophy.

Adams lacked the grace of Van Dijk but his combative nature makes him a Premier League icon.

Vincent Kompany

Manchester City have signed many great players since becoming one of the world’s richest clubs all the way back in 2008.

But the Belgium international, who manages Burnley these days, is arguably the best of the lot.

City signed Kompany from Anderlecht for just £6million back in 2008.

And he’d go on to become a legend at the Etihad Stadium, helping City to four league titles, two FA Cups and four Carabao Cups during his stint with them.

Sure, there was no Champions League triumph like Van Dijk. But Kompany was consistent for far longer and that’s why we rate him so highly.

Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell was always an ambitious footballer.

And that’s why he was willing to do the unthinkable in 2001 when he decided to swap Tottenham for Arsenal.

Though the 48-year-old had done well on the white side of north London, he was even better on the red.

Campbell won two league titles, three FA Cups and also helped Arsenal reach the Champions League final in 2006, scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in Paris.

So good was the Arsenal icon on his day that he’d even get into the England team ahead of names such as Terry, Ferdinand and Carragher himself on occasions.

Close contenders Van Dijk trumps

Marcel Desailly – Was fantastic for Chelsea but never claimed enough trophies to be regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Premier League history.

Gary Pallister – Won most major trophies at Manchester United and would chip in with key goals, too.

Steve Bruce – Another United legend, Steve Bruce was immense for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Jaap Stam – Played a key role as United won the treble in 1999, while helping the club win three league titles on the spin.

Jamie Carragher – Carragher himself wasn’t bad either and was vital as Liverpool won the Champions League and FA Cup in 2005 and 2006 respectively.