When 199cm Danish central defender Jannik Vestergaard arrived in England, he was seen as a player with rising potential. Despite ups and downs across his time in England, the 28-year-old has slowly but surely established himself as a key player for Southampton.
His impressive height and experience makes him a leader at the back, while he offers a level of leadership that Southampton miss without his presence. Although definitely on the slower end of the scale, his positioning and aggression makes up for any lack of natural pace.
What makes Jannik Vestergaard worth watching?
One thing that makes Vestergaard a player of interest is his ability in the air in both boxes. In 20+ starts this year, he has also contributed three goals whilst regularly winning in excess of three aerial duels per game. Not many strikers in England can get the better of him in a one-on-one duel aerially.
Add in his excellent ability to win the ball with head and feet, and he is a classic defender who can easily keep his team in games. When Southampton are facing a backs-to-the-walls performance, the rest of the team look the Dane.
Things to improve for Jannik Vestergaard
The one thing that hurts Vestergaard’s game above anything else is pace, and that cannot really be solved. His incredible size and power naturally makes him less likely to be quick. And while he could be better technically, too, these are quibbles to have for a destroyer central defender who has built his game on positioning and match understanding.
In fact, the primary thing that could improve was also listed as a strength; Verstergaard could score even more goals. Given the number of set pieces he dominates, Southampton could feel justified in expecting an even better goals return over the years.