'De Ligt will become world's best'

By Football Italia staff

Leonardo Bonucci has urged critics to lay off Matthijs de Ligt and is adamant his Juventus teammate “will become the best defender in the world.”

De Ligt’s early performances for Juve have been scrutinised heavily, given his status as arguably the most promising centre-back in European football and his hefty price tag, but Bonucci has no doubts at all about the Dutchman.

“De Ligt’s fate is already decided,” the 31-year-old told Tuttosport.

“He’s struggling like we all did, but he should be left alone. He has the quality to become, if not the best, one of the best defenders in the world.

“He’s made mistakes, like I did in the past and anyone in general: it’s inevitable.

“Wearing this shirt puts pressure on you and he’s doing it at just 20 years old, defending zonally after having spent his entire career marking man-to-man.

“It’s only a matter of time. Even against Lokomotiv Moscow, he had a very good game.

“He’s only human too. But, with experience, he will become the best defender in the world.”

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