Erik ten Hag previously touted Matthijs de Ligt as a potential world-class defender during their time together at Ajax. Now, with talks of a possible transfer to Manchester United circulating, Bongdalu could this move finally unleash the full extent of his talent? Adam Bate delves into the factors behind United’s interest in the Bayern Munich player…
“I’m uncertain whether Matthijs de Ligt has demonstrated 60 to 80 percent of his potential,” remarked Erik ten Hag in 2019. “Nevertheless, he is unquestionably among Europe’s finest defenders, and I firmly believe he is destined to become the premier player in his position.”
De Ligt, just 19 years old at the time, captained Ajax under Ten Hag during their remarkable journey to the verge of the Champions League final. Two years earlier, he had already made history as the youngest player to participate in a Europa League final. Even as a teenager, he left Ajax with over 100 senior appearances to his name.
There was no question he was destined for further triumphs at Juventus and beyond. Ten Hag, discussing young talents at Ajax in general terms, specifically highlighted De Ligt as someone who exuded “a certain invincible feeling.” His success seemed assured.
However, the player currently sought after by Manchester United finds himself in a different phase of his career. His tenure in Turin was somewhat successful but with reservations. His stint at Bayern Munich saw a decline in form, leading to him being sidelined from both club and national team selections.
Nevertheless, there is optimism. At the age of 24, there remains ample opportunity for him to rejuvenate his career. De Ligt has not lost his foundational skills. There is confidence that if his former coach reunites with him, his peak years could still lie ahead. Ten Hag might be instrumental in unlocking his full potential once again.
And the potential he possesses remains immense.
Identified early on in the renowned Ajax academy, his potential was deemed so certain that plans for his development centered not on ensuring he would reach the first team, but on nurturing him into a world-class player.
In a conversation with former Ajax coach Ruben Jongkind, who played a key role in implementing Johan Cruyff’s vision during the transformative “Velvet Revolution” at the club, he shed light on the spirited discussions that characterized that era.
Jongkind explained to Sky Sports that there were disagreements with the current coaches. They insisted on deploying him as a center-back, but Jongkind’s team disagreed, insisting that he should play in midfield. They argued that one of his weaknesses was the speed of his decision-making and actions.
In a similar vein, the perspective on De Ligt’s development advocated by Cruyff suggested that his optimal growth would occur by “transitioning him play as a midfielder no 6.” To play well in this position, he needs to make quick and accurate decisions, thereby helping him gain experience.
“They acknowledged his proficiency as a center-back,” Jongkind elaborated. “Yes, we’re aware. Eventually, he’ll transition to being a center-back for the first team. However, he’ll require these skills when he gets there. That’s why it’s crucial for us to deploy him in midfield.” This concept prevailed in the end.
The priority wasn’t the team’s immediate success but rather the individual’s growth. “Perhaps we’ll need to field another player in central defense, and we might concede because Matthijs won’t be there. However, this remains the most beneficial path for Matthijs,” they emphasized.
As a result, De Ligt continues to showcase his composed style. Last season in the Bundesliga, he achieved the second-highest passing accuracy, connecting with a teammate 94.03% of the time. Additionally, he ranked second in forward passing accuracy, completing 85.55% of his passes in that category.
This is crucial. Ten Hag has consistently criticized aimless possession, dubbing it “Hollanditis,” an ailment he believes requires remedy. With De Ligt, he advocated for purposeful passing, urging him to move the ball with intent.
While those statistics are promising, another positive indicator is that Bayern averaged 2.09 goals per 90 minutes with The Light on the field—the highest individual record in the Bundesliga. However, these numbers do not overshadow the fact that he faced challenges throughout the campaign.
Some Manchester United supporters may find it concerning that Eric Dier seemingly earned Thomas Tuchel’s trust more quickly, with De Ligt finding himself on the bench for Bayer Leverkusen’s crucial Bundesliga fixture in February.
Moving to United would mark a new beginning once more. There are grounds to be optimistic about its potential success. He will join a coach who not only has faith in him but also relies on him. Given United’s defensive challenges, there’s a real opportunity for De Ligt to make a significant difference.
Jonny Evans, aged 36, made more Premier League appearances than any other center-back last season, highlighting the defensive challenges Ten Hag confronted. Before Christmas, he experimented with 10 different center-back partnerships, which inevitably affected defensive stability.
No team can cope with such a high number of injuries,” stated Ten Hag. However, the team’s improved performance when Raphael Varane partnered with Lisandro Martinez offered some hope that personnel issues, rather than fundamental problems, Thapcamtv might have been the underlying issue.
Varane’s departure from the club has paved the way for De Ligt to step into the right-side defense naturally. He possesses the potential to complement Martinez in a manner that Jarrad Branthwaite, for instance, cannot. Both are at an ideal age to establish a formidable partnership.
It’s a bit of a risk, especially considering De Ligt’s recent injuries and Ten Hag’s tendency to rely on former players to shape United’s future. Once a reliable choice, the certainty surrounding this Dutch defender has waned in recent times.
Nevertheless, after five years since they went their separate ways, both now have the opportunity to mutually benefit each other. If Ten Hag’s assessment was correct and the young De Ligt was only operating at 80 percent of his potential, the idea of spending his best years at Old Trafford is appealing.
He possesses the physical stature to meet the challenge, natural leadership qualities, adept ball-playing skills, and a keen tactical understanding aligned with the coach’s philosophy. It may be a risk, yet potentially a steal for United in the long run.