Having broken records for fun on their way to the league title this season, Manchester City are easily the best side in the Premier League at the moment but Pep Guardiola is not totally convinced of the squad at his disposal and is expected to spend on a player or two this summer.
This has seen them linked with some exciting stars and one name now doing the rounds is Matthijs de Ligt.
Pep Turns To De Ligt:
A transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool as well, the teenager is easily one of the most exciting prospects in world football at the moment. He has already cemented his place in the first team at Ajax but reports now reveal that the Dutch side are already searching for replacements, with De Ligt expected to quit the club this summer.
And The Guardian claims that Manchester City are ready to meet his valuation and land him this summer. He is a future prospect, who can be a superstar in years to come. But is he the right man for City?
Who Is De Ligt?
A product of the Ajax academy, De Ligt made his debut just last season, where he made 22 appearances for the club, including the Europa League final, which they lost to Manchester United. He has continued his form this season, picking up three goals and two assists in 33 Eredivisie starts.
He was awarded the Marco van Basten award and the Bronze Boot this season in the Netherlands and has already made five appearances for the national side, standing as an established star in Europe.
Known for his strength in hold up play and his composure with the ball at his feet, De Ligt is an excellent passer of the ball and is usually productive with his movements. He is strong in the air and also quick to sniff out danger but what makes him attractive is his ability to wriggle out of dangerous situations with comfort.
For an 18-year old, he shows great confidence in his game and is made for the biggest stage and is a decent fit for City’s side.
Do They Really Need Him?
From the outside, the Dutch ace is regarded as a replacement for Vincent Kompany, who does not look an option for the long term. But City also have the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, all fighting for two places and De Ligt will find it hard to break into the first team quickly.
At 18, he will want to play every game, every week and though he is good enough to do so, even at Etihad, Pep is not expected to stick with a relatively inexperienced player as the first choice, leaving him fighting for a place in the starting XI.
Playing under Guardiola, he will learn a lot but the amount of game time that he will be offered will go a long way in deciding if City can land him this summer. Do you think he is the right man for the English champions?
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
