Chelsea forward Liam Delap has delivered a surprising verdict on the Premier League's most formidable defenders, snubbing Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in favour of Nottingham Forest's Murillo.
A Stereotypical Answer Snubbed
While facing Virgil van Dijk is often considered the ultimate test for any striker, the 23-year-old Delap described picking the Dutch icon as a 'stereotypical answer'. Instead, he reserved his highest praise for the Brazilian centre-back who has been instrumental for Nottingham Forest.
'You know who I really like? Murillo, at Forest,' Delap revealed. 'I have [played against Van Dijk], but I think that's the stereotypical answer. Obviously he's top, but I really like Murillo.'
The Rise of Murillo
This endorsement comes after a standout season for Murillo at the City Ground. Under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the defender was at the heart of a Forest defence that secured European football, ending the club's long hiatus from continental competition.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, with the 23-year-old Brazilian now being mooted as a potential defensive target for several of the Premier League's 'big six', including Liverpool and Delap's own Chelsea.
Murillo's Premier League Ambitions
The towering defender has been open about his career aspirations, previously admitting he envisioned using his time at Forest as a springboard to a elite club. He specifically mentioned Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal as desirable destinations.
'I had the dream of playing in the Premier League,' Murillo stated. 'I thought: 'I'll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I'll go to a big club'. I had that in my head.'
He did, however, show a pragmatic understanding of the challenges, noting that while he'd choose Manchester City, it would be difficult to become a regular starter there. He also highlighted Arsenal and Liverpool as 'good opportunities' to showcase his talent at a major club.
Van Dijk's Stature and a Lie Detector Test
Delap's comments represent a rare snub for Van Dijk, who is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history. The 34-year-old Liverpool captain is frequently mentioned in conversations alongside legends like Rio Ferdinand.
In a related incident that underscores Van Dijk's elite status, Rio Ferdinand was recently subjected to a lie detector test. When asked if he believed Van Dijk was a better defender than he was, Ferdinand answered 'No'. The polygraph, however, suggested a possible lie, leaving the former Manchester United star red-faced.
Ferdinand later reflected on his own prowess after watching a video of himself, remarking, 'No one does that. No one plays like that no more. There isn't any centre-back that I've seen in recent years that plays like that.'
Despite this high praise from a fellow defensive great, Delap's personal experience on the pitch points to the rising talent of Murillo as the ultimate challenge for a Premier League striker.
