Brighton and Hove Albion target Oliver Boscagli is like Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, confident defensively as well as on the ball.
That’s according to former Ajax defender Ferdi Vierklau, via Vandaag Inside, who has heaped praise on the PSV Eindhoven defender and long-term Brighton target.
Boscagli has been starring for PSV this season, playing a key role as they’ve pushed themselves seven points clear at the top of the Eredivisie table.
Interest in him is likely to be high in the January transfer window as he’ll be in the final six months of his contract and free to negotiate with clubs under the Bosman ruling.
Boscagli had initially wanted to leave in the summer transfer window and Brighton pushed to sign him throughout, with the player admitting he was keen on the move to the Premier League.
That never happened as PSV held out and Brighton eventually gave up, although Boscagli has made it clear more than once since he wanted the move and would be keeping his options open moving forwards.
Those options may be plentiful next month with his performances earning big praise, and big comparisons.
“Ryan Flamingo shows at PSV that he has great passing balls when he has the game in front of him,” Vierklau said.
“That is really where he can make a difference and what was even less visible earlier at FC Utrecht in midfield, with many people around him and where action had to be taken quickly.
“If you look at where he comes from and what he then now, I think he will have a bright future. Those balls through the ashes are a weapon.”
“And that next to Olivier Boscagli. PSV has a great build-up from the back with those two, of course.
“He radiates from being the leader at the back, puts it down, dribbles in with ease, has a great pass over longer distances and if you think about the physical aspects of both of them for a moment, then Boscagli reminds me of Virgil van Dijk purely in terms of playing style on the ball.”
