Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan believes Sven Botman has the attributes to achieve “something similar” to Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk.
Speaking on Sky Sports News earlier today, he declared that the Lille defender has the “physical presence” to take the Premier League by storm like his fellow countryman, believing there are several similarities between the two,
Neither stayed in their homeland for long – Botman was on Ajax’s books as a teenager but made a name for himself in France, something van Dijk did in Scotland. The pair are also 6ft 4′ giants who are dominant in the air, difficult to beat on the ground and very comfortable in possession for player’s of their size.
Van der Kraan admits that the 22-year-old has a long way to go to match van Dijk’s greatness – that goes without saying – but it can only bode well for Newcastle United if our £35m man is anything like the league’s standout centre-back!
Here’s what the Dutch football expert told Sky Sports News ahead of Botman’s imminent arrival:
