Speaking to Radio Bianconera, former Juventus director Luciano Moggi says Matthijs de Ligt should be sold, with Premier League powerhouse Liverpool tipped as a potential destination for the former Ajax captain.
As they say, the grass isn’t always greener somewhere else.
Donny Van de Beek, Frenkie de Jong, and Hakim Ziyech have all had challenges since leaving the Johan Cruyff Arena, but De Ligt, who led Ajax to a fantastic season that included reaching the Champions League final in 2018–19, hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations he set for himself in Turin.
During Euro 2020 last summer, Dutch icon Marco van Basten said, “He must show more leadership, he has to express himself because he has to lead the defence.”
He runs after his player leaving huge holes (in the backline). De Ligt went to Italy to learn how to defend, but I don’t believe he gained anything there.
WOULD JUVENTUS SELL MATTHIJS DE LIGT TO LIVERPOOL?
Of course, De Ligt is still only 22. He has not yet reached his full potential. It’s also important to note that at the same age, Dutch teammate and perhaps the best central defender in the world of football, Virgil van Dijk, was still plying his trade in Scotland.
De Ligt, according to Moggi, may be a useful sacrifice if Juventus wants to raise money for new signings.
De Ligt might be offered by Juventus, who have few players to sell, following Moggi. “However, a concern needs to be raised. Specifically, the problem of not being able to replace him in the best way.
“It is necessary to understand well to replace him because, otherwise it makes no sense to give him away.”
Corriere dello Sport reports that De Ligt wants to leave Juventus as soon as possible. According to reports, Jurgen Klopp dreams of combining De Ligt with fellow countryman Van Dijk at the center of an all-Oranje Liverpool defense, although a potential move to Anfield won’t happen until at least 2023.
De Ligt must be sold for 70 million euros (£60 million),” Moggi said, as translated by Tuttomercatoweb. “Allegri needs a strong team. Can one of Bremer or (Kalidou) Koulibaly take his place? Both are OK to me.
The skill of Koulibaly and the quality paired with the tactical awareness of Bremer, who is a true commander of the defense, may be a great aid to Juventus, are the two players that would bolster the defense.