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#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.
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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.
