20 UEFA Champions League debutants to look out for (part 2/2)

#5 Matthijs de Ligt

Ajax's Ligt

Probably Europe's highest-rated young central defender, de Ligt is Ajax's captain, and will be the leading man in the defence. His performances have been instrumental since his introduction into the first team.

Ajax is the ideal place for him to continue to learn the centre back trade as some of the very best in the world learned their trade at the famous Dutch club. Tottenham trio Davinson Sánchez, Jan Vertonghen, and Toby Alderweireld, are all former Ajax central defenders.

Sanchez was even de Ligt's defensive partner as Ajax went all the way to the Europa League final, only to lose to Manchester United in 2017. Already a starter for club and country as a teenager, the sky is the limit for the player who joined Ajax as a 9-year-old.