Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City have all been among the best teams in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool have obviously won the Premier League title, while Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City are all vying for a top-five spot.
All four also boast some of the best defenders in the world, players whose contributions have helped all their respective clubs fly high in the division.
Ipswich Town star Liam Delap has now spoken about the toughest opponents he has come up against in the Premier League this season.
Delap was the latest guest on Sky Sports’ Sticker Book show, and he was asked to pick the top player out of several four-man shortlists.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes, Man City powerhouse Ruben Dias and Nottingham Forest ace Murillo made up the ‘Toughest Opponent’ segment.
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Liam Delap picks Murillo above Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ruben Dias
Liam Delap spoke highly of all four, deeming Van Dijk “one of the best centre-backs in the world over the last few seasons” and saying Gabriel has “become such a good centre-back.”
The Ipswich ace also praised Dias, his former teammate at City, by saying: “He’s done incredible things, he’s won everything, and he’s such a good player.”
Of Murillo, he said: “I was really impressed with him. I think he’s still young, and he’s so fast and strong and, you know, he did really well.”
Delap concluded by saying Murillo had been his toughest opponent this term, adding: “I really like what I’ve seen from him this season.
“I don’t watch too much football, I don’t want to go with what everyone else says, but I think – he’s young, and I’ve been really impressed with him this season.”
Delap also discussed the best young players he has played alongside at club or international level.
He had to pick between Tottenham’s Archie Gray, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
Could Liam Delap and Murillo both be on the move this summer?
Delap, who has a £30million relegation clause, has become a transfer target for some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Despite Ipswich’s struggles this season, Delap has given a great account of himself, doing enough to suggest he belongs in the Premier League.
TBR Football sources understand that Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United have been doing a lot of work on Delap this season.
TBR Football can also confirm that Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool have all touched base with Delap’s camp in recent weeks.
However, Murillo will not be quite so easy to sign – the Forest star signed a new contract until 2029 just a few months ago.
In addition, TBR Football understands that Murillo’s contract doesn’t include a release clause, while the player himself is happy at the City Ground.
