In a recent print edition, Corriere dello Sport stated that Chelsea are ready to step up their pursuit of Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt this summer. It is understood that the Blues are prepared to launch a bid of around €80m plus bonuses to lure the Dutch centre-back to Stamford Bridge in this off-season.
De Ligt’s Impressive Form At The Allianz Stadium
De Ligt had a decent campaign with Juve as he produced a lot of solid performances for them on the defensive end of the pitch. The 22-year-old was involved in 42 matches for the Turin giants last season, finding the back of the net three times and providing one assist across all competitions.
The Dutch defensive ace was a rock at the back based on his average of 1.1 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per 90 minutes in Serie A. He was even been accurate when distributing the ball from the back, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 88.9% in the Italian first division (stats via whoscored).
Is De Ligt A Decent Option For Chelsea Head Coach Thomas Tuchel?
De Ligt is a solid tackler of the ball and can make a few timely interceptions for his team inside his half. He usually clears the danger when needed and can even put his body on the line to block a goal-bound shot from the opposition.
The Dutch sensation is proficient at playing his way out from the back. Hence, a centre-back of de Ligt’s quality will be a welcome addition to Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel’s squad ahead of the new campaign.
The Dutchman will be an ideal replacement for Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen after they both decided to leave the Blues in search of greener pastures this summer.
At 22, the best is yet to come from the Juventus star, so the West London club can expect to make the most out of his services if they can get him on board in this off-season. He will add plenty of bite and steel to Tuchel’s defence which makes him a great option for Tuchel to consider during this summer transfer window.
