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The reports of Dutch center back Matthijs de Ligt leaving Ajax have been emerging ever since he put on the string of brilliant performances, winning the Golden Boy award in the process. The 19-year-old has been linked with teams like PSG, Manchester United, and FC Barcelona in the near past.
The Dutchman is already a starter in the national side alongside Virgil Van Dijk in the defense. With the huge set of skills that de Ligt brings to the table, it will be good for his career if he moves to a big club, ASAP. Any top club would be willing to splash the cash on the youngster and also pay him well enough. What de Ligt should keep in mind is to play in a good league such as EPL or La Liga rather than playing in Ligue 1 for PSG.
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Here are three reasons why de Ligt should sign for FC Barcelona and possibly reunite with Frenkie de Jong at the club.
#3 Striking similarities between Barcelona and Ajax's philosophies and playing style
The 19-year-old defender won the Golden Boy award in 2018 playing for Ajax. The Dutchman has been a revelation at Ajax and his playing style under Erik Ten Hag and under Ronald Koeman at the Netherlands National Team has been almost the same. Both the coaches follow the philosophies of Johan Cruyff in their tactics and style.
Barcelona has got Cruyff's style instilled in the club although under Valverde there has been more defensive rather than an attacking style of game. Even under Valverde, one thing that has been constant is the high defensive lines and playing from the back.
de Ligt is used to these tactics. Erik Ten Hag's Ajax and Koeman's Netherlands both depend on defenders who can handle the ball well. Ajax's play also depends on high defensive lines to a certain extent although Barcelona pushes it up even higher. de Ligt would have no problems adjusting to the style of play and philosophies of Barcelona unlike at Liverpool or Manchester United.
This is one of the main reasons that the Dutchman should choose Barcelona over others.
#2 Good competition for the center back spot
Strange, but still true. Barcelona has three really good center backs at their disposal. Gerard Pique is there, Samuel Umtiti was one of the best in his positions till the injury came, Clement Lenglet has more or less stolen Umtiti's spot in the side. When de Ligt comes into the mix, there is certainly a doubt over his position. Can he be a starter with such quality around? It depends on what the coach thinks and what he does in the training.
On the contrary, healthy competition will keep him out of the side for a few matchdays but he will eventually get his spot, at least in Copa del Rey matches. Thus, he has to prove that he is better than those around him. That is what separates the good from the greats. The good is good where there is no competition around. The greats are great even with competition surrounding them.
Think about this. Clement Lenglet was an outsider when he came into the side. When he got his chance, he integrated himself into the team and has now improved himself to a level where he is irreplaceable on current form. Even Samuel Umtiti couldn't replace him undisputedly. Lenglet has now earned his place in the side and he has earned his name as one of the world's best this season. If he hadn't fought for his place, who would know about him? If he was still at Sevilla, due to the fact that he will get regular playing time, no one would bat an eye.
If de Ligt goes to a club like Manchester United, he becomes the undisputed starter. Keep in mind, he is still only 19 and thus the pressure of the Premier League can take its toll on him and his talent. If he underperforms, the media will burn him down. At Barcelona, he will get his chance only when he is that good, only when the staff feels that he can handle the high pressing of teams like Valencia and Villarreal.
#1 Watch, learn, and then reassure Gerard Pique of his successor
Barcelona doesn't gun for 19-year-olds for nothing. de Ligt has something special that the Blaugrana have seen and that is his similarities to Gerard Pique's style of defending. During Gerard Pique's prime years, the club tasted big success. When Pique came to Barcelona, he was 21, a second-fiddle to Rafa Marquez, who was a great ball-playing defender.
What did Pique do? He watched him and learned from him. He then went on to replace Marquez in the starting lineup alongside his general, Puyol. On the pitch, he learned a lot from Puyol, focus, and concentration on the game is the first one of them. And then when Puyol left, Pique was the general. Isn't he now? At 31, in red-hot form, putting good after good performances. He bleeds for the badge, he motivates every other player on the pitch, he has grown into the best ball-playing defender right now. Pique's anticipation on 1v1 situations is exemplary, so is the commitment.
What better way to be his successor than learn from him? de Ligt has the opportunity to train with him and to learn from him in training. In Copa del Rey games, he should take his opportunities and improve on them. Then again, he will have either Umtiti or Lenglet to advise him on the pitch. Pique will be there always, grooming his long-term replacement.
If he goes to United, which player does he learn from? Smalling? Jones? Or let's say PSG. Who can teach him to push the line up as good as Pique? Who can teach him to anticipate 1v1s as good as Pique? Who can teach him to play for the badge or to control the ball well under pressure?
Barcelona has one thing in mind when buying de Ligt, that is to replace Pique. In a year or two, de Ligt can be the firm starter in the starting 11, and he would be the best or one of the best ball-players in the back four. de Ligt has the chance. He'd better not let this slip by.
