Odegaard and Palmer agree on 'toughest player' they've ever faced

Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard have revealed their admiration for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, naming him the hardest player they've ever come up against.

Both players praised the Dutchman's physicality, intelligence, and leadership on the pitch, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s best defenders.

Odegaard spoke highly of Van Dijk’s ability to anticipate moves and dominate attackers. "Virgil, a really tough one," the Norwegian admitted in a recent interview.

Similarly, Palmer shared his experience of facing the Dutchman during Chelsea's battles with Liverpool and said that the Reds player is always difficult to compete with. As Palmer and Odegaard's comments highlight, Van Dijk remains a daunting opponent for even the Premier League's most talented players.