Virgil van Dijk will be under the Southampton microscope while training with the kids to see if his heart is still in it
MAURICIO PELLEGRINO may claim "everything is normal now" but Virgil van Dijk still has his work cut out to convince he is committed to the Southampton cause.
When quizzed on the pair’s relationship ahead of Saturday’s clash at home to Watford, Pellegrino insisted there was no problem between the manager and his wantaway captain.
However only time will tell if Van Dijk really has settled his grievances with the club after slating them in his transfer request.
There is no doubt that even right up until the final hours of the transfer window, Van Dijk was convinced he would be able to force through his dream move to Liverpool.
That is why before re-joining the first-team fold this week he was training either alone or with the kids. That is why Jurgen Klopp never started searching for alternative targets.
It is also the reason Pellegrino has been unable to call upon the services of Saints’ star man for the vital early weeks of his reign after replacing the sacked Claude Puel.
Van Dijk will once again be AWOL from the team to face Watford as Saints look to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Pellegrino wants the Dutchman to continue his recovery from an eight-month ankle injury lay-off by turning out for Under-23s.
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You suspect this is the Argentine’s way of weighing up whether Van Dijk’s heart is still with Saints before risking him on the big stage.
Van Dijk’s body language and attitude in training will also be under the microscope and once the former Celtic ace has re-assured his manager he will have to start building bridges with Saints fans.
Some have gone as far as to say he should issue an apology for his behaviour during the summer-long saga.
Normal everything most certainly is not.
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