Wenger - "Boss" van Dijk & Mature Sterling deserving PFA award winners

Arsene Wenger has hailed the seasons of Virgil van Dijk & Raheem Sterling who picked up the PFA player of the year & young player of the year awards last night

Arsene Wenger believes that both Virgil van Dijk and Raheem Sterling are deserving for their end of season awards. Liverpool defender van Dijk picked up the senior PFA award whilst Sterling won the Young player of the year for his standout performances with Man City.

Speaking exclusively with beIN SPORTS presenter Nicky Crosby at the newly opened national museum of Qatar, Wenger admitted that it was right to hand the Dutch centre back the award.

"Look it's always difficult to compare creative players with defenders."

The former Arsenal boss hailed the defensive stability of van Dijk who has transformed the fortunes of Liverpool from a fourth-place finish last season to Premier League title challengers.

"It's sometimes good that defenders are highlighted and rewarded. People rated the change he made for Liverpool, the defensive stability he brought more than the player to Liverpool."

"It looks like he is the boss there and that he made a fantastic change" noted Wenger when asked to look at the overall impact of the former Southampton defender.

When asked about Raheem Sterling, Wenger spoke about the maturity shown by the 24-year old winger in dealing with the racist abuse he suffered on England duty and taking a measured response in talking out on the issue of racism in football.

"I believe that he gained authority from his permanent presence in the national team, and I think he knows that he can win now. He knows he's a regular at the national team and at City."

"So it's good he's outspoken now that shows he's taking responsibility outside the game."

Sterling has been imperious for the Citizens this season and has seventeen Premier League goals to his name so far this season. Talking about the winger's technical attributes Wenger believes that Sterling can be a truly world class player if he improves one crucial aspect of his game.

"Overall I think he has qualities you don't find. The timing of his runs, the speed of his first five yards. In a fraction of a second, he is away and doesn't leave any chance to the defender."

"He has improved in his finishing and there is still room to be calmer and composed in his finishing. If he gets that he will have even more of an impact."

You can hear more from Arsene Wenger who will be a part of beIN SPORTS coverage of the Champions League semi-finals in the video above.