'I played for Liverpool - Chelsea should have signed Virgil van Dijk last summer'

Virgil van Dijk came close to becoming a free agent last summer before signing a new contract with Liverpool, although one former Red feels Chelsea should have tried to nab him

Virgil van Dijk signed a two-year contract with Liverpool last year(Image: Getty Images)

Former Chelsea and Liverpool star Joe Cole has suggested the former should have taken Virgil van Dijk off the latter’s hands last summer.

The Reds captain’s future was of course up in the air for much of last season as the end of his contract drew near. Van Dijk was one of three big names on the verge of becoming free agents, alongside Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Although the latter of those would end up leaving for Real Madrid, Van Dijk and Salah both signed new two-year deals at Anfield before going on to lift the Premier League title.

Cole though thinks Chelsea should have tried to get to Van Dijk before he had the chance to extend his stay with Liverpool.

The Blues find themselves trying to catch up with the Reds in the race for the Premier League’s top four, with Liam Rosenior taking over as manager after Enzo Maresca’s firing.

Asked who he would sign for Chelsea during the January transfer window, Cole told Paddy Power: “I would have gone down the road of going really big for Virgil van Dijk when he was coming to the end of his contract at Liverpool last summer.

“You need seasoned winners in the side.”

Joe Cole has suggested Chelsea should have tried to sign Virgil van Dijk(Image: Getty Images)

Cole added: “I’d be looking at the PSG squad, which I think is bloated. Players who understand winning and know how and what it means to win.

“I don’t think Arsenal are going to be able to keep up with all their players, certain players there will be available at the end of the season.

“Unfortunately, none of the top, top players are going to be coming to Chelsea, because if they’re available, then the Man City’s, the Arsenal’s and the Liverpool’s will come calling and they will go there first.

“So Chelsea are still in their rebuilding phase.”

Despite Cole’s comments, Van Dijk revealed upon signing his new deal in April that he had never planned on leaving Anfield.

“It was always Liverpool. That was the case,” Van Dijk said.

“It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool. There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk signed a new deal before lifting the Premier League title with Liverpool(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.

"It always felt right. I said it from the first day on that it felt right and I think it showed in the years we have spent together up until now. And obviously more years to come.

“It is the place for me to be, to spend my best years, be successful with the club as we have been over the years and hopefully the future as well. And I love the city, I love the club, I love the fans. I love my teammates. I love everything that embodies Liverpool, and on to many more.”