Virgil Van Dijk has spoken to say he s happy at St Mary's, but that he has ambitions to play at the highest level.

Virgil Van Dijk has good news and bad news for Saints fans, however both are things that we already knew.

Speaking to The Times he said.

“Everyone says that at 25, the best years are still to come but I am enjoying every bit of it now,” he told the Times.

“Southampton is a very good club for me, it is an amazing place to be and I am happy to be part of the success."

“Every player in the world has ambitions; I have ambitions like everyone else. I want to get the maximum out of myself as a player. I can improve in every aspect and that takes time. That takes games. That takes playing at the highest level and with the national team."

“The figures you mention about me? I cannot do anything about that. That is football these days. But I don’t feel the pressure — no chance.”

So what has Virgil Van Dijk actually said ? Some media outlets are making this out as he want to go to a big club, but the reality is that he has said very little but he has said the right things.

It is good to hear that he is happy at Saints and why wouldn't he be, he is well paid and at a club that is having another good season and challenging for honours.

But the reason that we are doing so these days is that we are signing players who have ambition, that is why we are no longer a lower middle side with journeymen players, it is because the players we sign want to win things.

That doesn't help because it does mean they will move on to better things, but it is better to have had them here for a couple of seasons than not had them at all.

So I am pleased to read what Virgil has said, it shows that unlike some with ambition that we have had here, that he is level headed and knows that he has time to pick the right club for him for the next stage of his career and that he won't jump at the first big offer waved at him.

Yes it is frustrating at times to see so many players come and go, but it is a sign we are doing things right not that we are getting them wrong, the time we should worry is when no one wants to sign any of our players because then we will be getting it wrong, I would not swap the last four years for those of most of the Premier League outside of the big six, there is a good reason for that !

Photo: Action Images

BUCK added 11:54 - Dec 24 Don't you just love our media crap stories. Maybe Virgil saying he ambition to play at the highest level could mean the premiership. To try for a few seasons to get saints where we need to be, to be fighting for top 4. I felt last season we was so close,but this season we seem so far in my opinion. I'd feel at real ease with a decent proven goalscorer,shame we couldn't have kept aldervierald. Imagine him and Virgil at the back along with Bertrand and spares, bring back Morgan and what a defence that would have been.

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BUCK added 11:55 - Dec 24 Soares not spares lol, Damon predictive text haha. Merry Christmas everyone
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dirk_doone added 12:21 - Dec 24 Same interview is interpreted by the national press as "Virgil van Dijk hints at Southampton exit". Let's face it, Nick, if exactly the same words had been spoken by Fonte, you'd be criticising once again in the harshest of terms. The national press's version seems more realistic as most of us expect van Dijk to go before next season but I guess it would take a very big offer indeed for Saints to sell him as soon as next month.

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davepid added 13:49 - Dec 24 The reason players come and go is because the business model of the current owners is to find under valued players ( and manager) from our academy, abroad, Scotland and premier reserve teams develop them and sell them on. It is profitable but means we've got to get used to watching our best players leave and play against us whilst being left with those who don't quite develop as intended.( JWP and Long). Anyway Nick. Happy Christmas to you. Thanks for your website and the work you put in.

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SanMarco added 14:28 - Dec 24 The interview says nothing so can be interpreted anyway you like. I remember Lallana saying he was staying with us for ever - he shouldn't have said it should he? VVD will go soon but this interview does not tell us when. I echo davepid on the Christmas greetings to our genial host and to all users of TUI...
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Hugh_Jarce added 14:39 - Dec 24 All positive stuff but I think he just may too good for us to keep him. Everyone has a price and the big fish aren't going to go away. Think a summer move is more likely than now though.
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froggysaint added 15:12 - Dec 24 I thought that Claude Puel made a fair point, that VVD will certainly (barring serious injury) be worth the same in 2 to 3 years time, so the club has nothing to gain from a sale in the short term. Glad to hear Virgil confirm that he's happy at St Mary's; long may he remain.
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halftimeorange added 16:24 - Dec 24 There's always the risk that like so many that have left St Marys he'll go from hero to zero. Morgan, Alex O-C and Chambers immediately spring to mind. I see the former is touted as going to WBA for £13M. At that price we should have him back. Merry Christmas to one and all.
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theholsaints added 19:50 - Dec 24 Only Llalama, Clyne and obviously Bale have actually really shown their potential...look at Chambers, Sir Ricky, even Walcott and Ox...Lovren was a #$%*! Feel for Spider, wish he'd stayed the most, his move has done nothing for his career...mane playing well but got £35 mil...rather have Dier playing than Wanyama...yes, they may all be earning more but that's it...the list just keeps on getting bigger about who need/want to beat...I think that has also helped the squad, great to get the win over the toffees and maybe just maybe the same will happen on Weds and at home in the cup game!!!!

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BoondockSaint added 22:55 - Dec 24 My worry is the players' "ambition" is to use us as a stepping stone rather than accomplish anything with Saints. Anyway, enough of my usual hand wringing....it's the Feast of the Nativity not Negativity! So all the best to everyone on this shining example of civil discourse, whatever you may celebrate! And a special "Hello" to my fellow members of the Cynics Guild, and to Nick who puts in a ton of work, and then gets snarky comments from people like me! No wonder he goes by the name of St. Nick!

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perazi added 01:15 - Dec 25 Class act in every respect is Virgil and I agree with Nick; it's better we have these players like VVD, Mane, Wanyama and co for a couple of seasons rather than not at all. Let's hope by some miracle he plays another season after this one with us! All the best Xmas/New Year wishes to all posters on here and to you Nick for all your efforts.
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CelticSaintCanada added 01:32 - Dec 25 I know that I am perhaps an overly optimistic sort, but it's hard not to be from where I sit. I have been a fan since I was young but it was a strange fandom. It used to be that I just read box scores in the paper and saw occasional Saints highlights on late night international sports programmes. Southampton was not a team that garnered much coverage in North American sports circles. Now they are much more visible. They attract some of the best talent in the world, on the pitch, on the sidelines and in the boardroom (shout out to fellow Canadian Ralph Krueger!) I want to see them reach the top however and wherever they can be it Cups, Europe or in the league. But I know I wouldn't trade this team for any in England, never a dull moment. At any rate I love the team, the civil discourse between supporters (even over the most controversial decisions)and the hard work on this site. Happy Holidays to all, onward we march! COYS!

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