A senior centre-back should be one of the club's top priorities this summer.
As talented as Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are, expecting either to step straight into a starting role week in, week out, at their age is asking a lot. Young defenders develop differently to attackers. Mistakes are magnified, confidence can be fragile, and consistency usually comes with experience.
The ideal situation is to bring them into a stable environment alongside Van Dijk who can guide them through the transition to senior football. Throwing them straight into the deep end as first-team regulars carries unnecessary risk.
That's why I'm genuinely surprised there hasn't been a stronger push for Marcos Senesi. He's available on a free transfer, has Premier League experience, is entering his prime years, and perhaps most importantly, already knows exactly what Andoni Iraola demands from his centre-backs.
Senesi was a key part of Iraola's Bournemouth side, understands the intensity, defensive structure and build-up patterns, and wouldn't require a lengthy adaptation period. In a market where proven defenders are commanding huge fees, signing a player of his profile without a transfer fee feels like a logical opportunity.
Maybe there are concerns behind the scenes regarding wages, fitness or long-term planning, but from the outside looking in, it feels like one of the more obvious deals available.
Relying solely on potential is rarely the recipe for immediate success. Balancing youth with proven experience is usually what gives teams the strongest foundation.
Bizarre