Ajax, known as the Dutch powerhouse, have produced world-beaters over the years and maintained the legacy even though they failed to keep hold of them amid interest from the money-giants of European football. 19-year-old Matthijs de Ligt is one such talent who has progressed through their academy ranks but is now being chased by the heavyweights of Europe’s top leagues including Barcelona.
The reigning La Liga champions are going through a crisis at the back, particularly in central defence where they are having a couple of major injury blows and struggling to find the resilience as well as rigidity required to defend their crown. The absence of Samuel Umtiti and veteran Thomas Vermaelen has left Ernesto Valverde, the Blaugrana boss, with only two senior centre-back options in Gerard Pique and new recruit Clement Lenglet. The duo, meanwhile, have been far from stable and conceded ‘soft’ goals of late which saw Barcelona dropping points to league minnows.
The Catalans, therefore, are weighing up defensive options and preparing a bid for De Ligt following his spectacular show for both club and country. However, they are unlikely to have him in winter as Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars has categorically ruled out a January switch for their prized asset.
“The chances of De Ligt leaving Ajax in January are zero percent”
Stated the former Ajax and Netherlands great who also had his spell with Barcelona in the twilight of his colourful career. The Dutch wonderkid won’t come cheap though having signed a long-term deal last year and the La Liga supergiants will have to outbid the likes of Juventus and Manchester City who are also chasing the teenager as per latest rumours.
Barcelona used to be an outfit adored for their passing game, but the artistry has gone missing in recent years, and the club is genuinely lacking identity and creativity in spite of having renowned names of world football. They are grabbing results banking on individual excellence (read Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez) but need to play the ball out from the back with confidence and purposeful passing traits.
De Ligt has featured 74 times in Ajax colours at a senior level and also represented his nation in several youth ranks before earning his first senior cap against Bulgaria in March 2017. The 6 ft 2 in centre-back is lauded for his aggressiveness and physique at such a young age. De Ligt is also known for his passing skills as well as his ability to threaten from indirect set-pieces.
He has netted eight times for his boyhood club so far which exhibits his composure at both ends of the pitch. Tying down De Ligt might resolve the frailty that dispirited the Cules since Carles Puyol’s retirement and the prodigy, already gaining popularity across Europe, is believed to be one of the world’s best central defensive resource for years to come.
