Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has thrown down the gauntlet to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
Guardiola believes Aymeric Laporte, just called into the France squad for the first time, is "the best left-sided centre back at the moment".
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Manchester City's clash with Brighton this weekend he admitted: For me, it's a mistake when I said one of the best because [Laporte] is the best left-sided centre back at the moment.
I am incredibly grateful to [Didier] Deschamps and so happy for him (being called up to the France squad) because he deserves it. All of us are so happy for him because he was looking for the call for a long time."
Laporte plays in the same position as Van Dijk who was last night crowned Europe's best defender and player.
