Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk is 'one of the best players in the Premier League' as boss Mauricio Pellegrino welcomes his return

  • REPORT: Roy Hodgson suffers first defeat in charge of Crystal PalaceĀ 
  • Virgil Van Dijk failed to force a summer move to Premier League rivals Liverpool
  • The defender appeared in Southampton's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace
  • It was Dutchman Van Dijk's first appearance for the Saints in 237 days
  • Mananger Mauricio Pellegrino has welcomed the defender back to his squadĀ 

Virgil Van Dijk seems back in Southampton's good books after appearing for the first time in 237 days coming off the bench in their 1-0 away win over Crystal Palace.

Manager Mauricio Pellegrino concedes he does not know what will happen in January but has welcomed the wantaway defender back into his squad.

Van Dijk had been left in limbo and was training on his own after attempting to force through a transfer to Liverpool, who were accused of tapping up the defender.

Virgil Van Dijk made his return to the Premier League after rejoing the Southampton first-team

Virgil Van Dijk made his return to the Premier League after rejoing the Southampton first-team

The Dutch defender appeared as a substitute in Saturday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace

The Dutch defender appeared as a substitute in Saturday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace

Despite the stand-off with Southampton, Van Dijk missed out on his summer move but was named in their squad for the trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday.


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'Around the player there is a lot of interest,' Pellegrino said. 'You know how football is, it's a big business. We have to accept that.

'Around him it is the same situation. Now we have to leave aside this situation. Now everything is normal.

'Now, for me I've got this group of players and I will try to push them, to work with them, to help them, to improve every single day.

'We never know how the market will be in January. We can bring in some playersā€¦ every single squad can improve. We have got people who are working to improve our squad all the time.

'And for the other teams it's the same. They will push to bring the best players and Virgil is one case. He's one of the best players in the Premier League.

'It's normal that the biggest teams in the Premier League want to buy him.'

Van Dijk is set to start for Southampton's Under 23 on Sunday against Stoke City in a bid to boost his match fitness.Ā 

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino admitted he didn't know where Van Dijk will be come January

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino admitted he didn't know where Van Dijk will be come January