Van Dijk has been one of the most consistent defenders in the top flight this season

Virgil van Dijk took advantage of some precious downtime this week, forgetting his status as the Premier League’s most-wanted defender and heading instead with his young family to Paris and Disneyland Paris.

His Southampton team-mates Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand were also with their children on the pre-Christmas trip and it was not long before they witnessed Van Dijk as they had never seen him before.

“We went on the smaller rides with my daughter, but my missus wanted me to go on some of the bigger rollercoasters with her,” says Van Dijk, his eyes widening and starting to grin. “To be fair I was a bit afraid. There is a picture of me with my mouth wide open, screaming.

“It was good. The most