This is Manchester City’s dream January defence including these key targets

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk has been one of the best defenders in the division so far this season.

The Dutch international moved to St Mary’s last year and, although he struggled initially to adapt to English football, he has since been sensational at the heart of the Saints back four.

And this season he has taken that up another level.

The 25-year-old is a chief reason why Claude Puel’s side have conceded just 12 goals and kept five clean sheets in the league thus far, and he had excelled notably against the likes of Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku.

Unsurprisingly, van Dijk’s exceptional form has attracted interest and it’s City, who have Vincent Kompany sidelined with a ligament injury, that are hoping to bring the Dutch defender to the Etihad.

He’d be a great addition to the City backline, and could arguably be the biggest factor in whether or not they win the league this season.