Following Sunday’s League Cup final, in which Liverpool beat Chelsea to lift the trophy for the 10th time, football fans have been left arguing amongst themselves as to who was better, Virgil van Dijk or Vincent Kompany— and the debate is as furious as it is funny.
The Dutch centre-back scored the only goal to win the EFL Cup for the second time and once again proved to be the difference for Liverpool, but his decisive action also sparked the debate amongst Scousers and more as to where he lands amongst the greatest Premier League centre-back of all time.
Well, it wasn’t much of a debate for half of Merseyside, as a number of posts on social media were quick to proclaim van Dijk as the very best in history, brushing past plenty of other options like John Terry, Nemanja Vidić and more, but most notably it would seem, Man City legend Vincent Kompany.
Safe to say people on both sides are staunchly defending both center-halves just as much as each other and it’s produced some classic online footy fan discussion and downright outrage in some cases.
The 32-year-old’s trophy cabinet now includes two EFL Cups, a Premier League title and the Champions League, an FA Cup; a Charity Shield, the UEFA Super Cup and a Club World Cup, not to mention multiple personal accolades.
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By no means a bad haul whatsoever, but now let’s compare it to Kompany‘s tally here during his time in Blue: four league titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups and a pair of Charity Shields. More domestic success certainly, but van Dijk’s done it in Europe too — depends on how you weigh everything up.
One of the key differences noted by many supporters between the two in the wake of van Dijk’s man-of-the-match performance was that whereas he scored a winner in the Carabao Cup, Kompany scored an absolute iconic screamer to go top of the league and effectively beat Liverpool to the title in 2018/19.
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As for scoring winners in cup finals, many a player has achieved that feat (defenders included) and beyond just the current Burnley manager himself, the floor has also been opened plenty by fans who think there is a laundry list of other names that come ahead of the Liverpool star.
No, lol. Nemanja Vidić (4x TOTY, 2x POTY), Rio Ferdinand (6x), Tony Adams (4x) Vincent Kompany (3x, 1x), Sol Campbell (3x) John Terry (4x), Jaap Stam (3x) & Gary Pallister (x7) all have cases or are clearly better than van Dijk.
I’ve been saying it for years so don’t think it’s reactionary. Van Dijk is the best centre back I’ve seen in the Premier League. Everyone loves nostalgia and never give players their flowers until they’re gone. I watched Terry, Vidic and Kompany get clowned regularly. Not him.
We’re not even going to pretend to have an answer to this one, we’re just going to sit back and enjoy the to-and-fro whilst waiting for the next one to inevitably roll around soon enough.
All we will say is that Kompany captained one of the most dominant sides this country has ever seen and we’ll comfortably stick our neck out and say that ‘Vinny, don’t shoot!’ moment wasn’t just better than VVD’s extra-time header but is probably one of the most iconic goals in Premier League history.
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So go on then, who do you think will go down as the better defender, Virgil van Dijk or Vincent Kompany?
Addressing the supporters on social media, Forrester wrote: “Thank you to all involved at Bolton Wanderers FC for my time at the club.
“A special club with unbelievable people that work within. Also, a massive thank you to the fans for all of the support throughout.”
His sign-off has been met with plenty of love and well-wishers, as plenty have cited his numerous injury problems – including a ‘freak fall’ which required surgery – as having unfortunately hampered his progress with the Wanderers.
One fan commented, “When fit, he was definitely a first-team starter. But had such bad luck with injuries, he missed more than he played for us.
“Best of luck to Will; it’s probably the right decision for both parties. Such a shame.”
Forrester – originally from Alsager (a town located near Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe) – has become Leyton Orient FC’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Will Forrester has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal and becomes the O’s first January signing of 2026 🙌
While he joins the club on a two-year deal, his transfer fee remains undisclosed.
Having said that, his wages are expected to be towards the higher end of player salaries at Brisbane Road, with the third-tier side still sitting dangerously close to the drop zone in 20th place.
Touching on his arrival via an official club statement, Forrester said: “I’m very happy to have signed here. The mindset and the goals the club want to accomplish in the coming years makes this move very exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Speaking to the gaffer, he has outlined his expectations of me, and I want to help push us forward. I know the challenges of reaching the play-offs the year before and want to help the lads get back on track as quickly as possible.”
You can see his first full interview as a member of The O’s down below.
Featured Images — Bolton Wanderers FC (screenshot via YouTube)/Leyton Orient FC (via X)
Sport
Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Danny Jones -
26th February 2024 
