Top Six: The Premier League’s most irreplaceable players

Virgil van Dijk – Southampton

The Dutchman has developed quickly in the past few years and this season he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best defenders.

He has been a rock at the back for Southampton this term. Van Dijk has recently been sidelined with an ankle injury, and The Saints have struggled to cope as a result.

With the former Celtic man in the team, Southampton have only conceded 23 goals in 21 games at an average of 1.1 per game.

But with him out of the team, they have conceded a hefty 11 times in five Premier League outings, at 2.2 goals conceded per game.

In addition, an argument can be made that if he had started for Southampton in the EFL Cup final, The Saints would not have conceded three goals and thus would have lifted the trophy.

His importance to the team is paramount, and I would not be surprised if he makes the step up to one of Europe’s top teams in the summer.