Virgil van Dijk vs William Saliba
Per-90 stats comparison · Rising Transfers DNA Analysis · 2025/26 season
Data Verdict
William Saliba commands a higher market value (€90.0M vs €18.0M). Virgil van Dijk leads in goals / 90 and clearances / 90. William Saliba is stronger in tackles won / 90 and interceptions / 90. Overall, William Saliba holds the statistical edge across 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Based on per-90 statistics · How we compare players →
Playing Style Profiles
A Ball-Playing CB. Statistically, he stands out as commanding in the air (7.5 clearances/90), meticulous in distribution (89% pass accuracy), wins the physical battle (75% duel success), heavily involved in possession (75 passes/90), penetrates with forward passing (12.2 final-third passes/90), central to possession (88 touches/90), dominant in the air (4.7 aerials won/90, 75%) and uses long balls frequently (8.2/90).
Saliba has quietly become the most complete ball-playing centre-back in the Premier League—a defender who makes the game look administrative. His 92.7% pass accuracy and 76 passes per 90 place him in the top 5% of defenders in the division, yet the more revealing figure is his 6.81 passes into the final third per 90, putting him in the top 20%—this isn't a man simply recycling possession, he's actively driving attacks from deep.
Per-90 Statistics Comparison
| Metric | Virgil van Dijk | William Saliba | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals / 90 | 0.10 | 0.04 | Virgil |
| Tackles won / 90 | 0.37 | 0.74 | William |
| Interceptions / 90 | 0.60 | 0.65 | William |
| Clearances / 90 | 7.50 | 4.42 | Virgil |
| Press intensity / 90 | 1.22 | 2.08 | William |
| Pass accuracy % | 89.00 | 92.70 | William |
All statistics per 90 minutes · 2025/26 season · FULL quality DNA data only
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the better player — Virgil van Dijk or William Saliba?
William Saliba commands a higher market value (€90.0M vs €18.0M). Virgil van Dijk leads in goals / 90 and clearances / 90. William Saliba is stronger in tackles won / 90 and interceptions / 90. Overall, William Saliba holds the statistical edge across 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
How is this comparison calculated?
Rising Transfers compares players using per-90 statistics normalised for playing time, combined with DNA playing style vectors built from 47 performance dimensions. This ensures fair comparison regardless of team, league, or playing time. Learn more about our comparison methodology →
What are their market values?
Virgil van Dijk has a market value of €18.0M, while William Saliba is valued at €90.0M.