Lippi: 'Never seen anyone like De Ligt'

By Football Italia staff

Marcello Lippi has worked with all the greats, but “never seen anyone like Matthijs de Ligt at his age” ahead of the Juventus transfer.

The Bianconeri are reportedly on the verge of sealing a €67m plus €13m in bonuses deal for the Ajax starlet, however Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United also remain interested in the 19-year-old.

“I believe that the player who would be the best signing for Juve would be De Ligt,” Lippi told Tuttosport.

“I think he is really strong. He’s physically imposing and has great football intelligence, he gives you a good balance, is technically strong and also scores a lot of goals.”

The World Cup winning Coach was asked whom the youngster reminds him of most, as he worked with some of the best defenders in the game.

“There is no need for comparisons, but I’ve seen plenty of greats, like Alessandro Nesta, Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Ciro Ferrara, Fabio Cannavaro, and Marco Materazzi. I’ve never seen anyone like that at his age.

“Juve with De Ligt would make a further leap in quality, putting him beside Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci would be the key to making a strong Juventus even stronger.

“They would be capable of achieving any target, even the Champions League.”

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