Ajax’s star player Matthijs de Ligt is currently one of the most sought after players in world football after a stellar campaign for the Dutch side in the domestic league as well as Europe. The 19-year-old central defender has been pursued by some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Manchester United and Barcelona.
Former Manchester United and Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal has given his verdict on the club his fellow Dutchman should join in the summer, adding another name to the mix – Manchester City.
“I think exactly the same (that De Ligt should join Manchester City). Although De Ligt can go to Barcelona too, because I don’t like their central defenders either. He could play at Barcelona, but he could play for Manchester City also, and in that case, I would choose Pep Guardiola over Lionel Messi,” said van Gaal.
The defensive sensation made a big impression in the 2018-19 season, especially in the Champions League, where he captained the Dutch side to the Champions League semi-final.
The 19-year-old recently revealed that he will make a decision about his future soon, explaining that he has several options and that the future is exciting for him. de Ligt made 48 appearances for Ajax in the season, guiding the club to the league title as well as the Dutch Cup.
Will City be a better option?
Manchester City completed the domestic treble in the 2018-19 season, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. Pep Guardiola’s men were utterly dominant, but they will still have to strengthen their squad, especially in central defence as their captain Vincent Kompany bid adieu to the club to move back to Anderlecht. The future of Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi is also uncertain as he has been linked with a move away from the Etihad in the summer transfer window.
City will certainly benefit by signing a player like de Ligt, who has all the qualities that Guardiola likes in his players – great passing, good with his feet, and incessant will to press the opposition. Much like they did with Kompany, signing him when he was 22 years of age and grooming him to become their most important defender, City could do the same with de Ligt, who is also a great leader and motivator.
de Ligt would flourish under Guardiola and could become one of the best defenders of all-time and we believe Van Gaal is not entirely off the mark when he suggests Manchester City as de Ligt’s ideal destination.
