Gullit: ‘De Ligt grows with Bonucci and Chiellini’
Former Milan and Sampdoria forward Ruud Gullit said Matthijs de Ligt ‘is growing very well’ next to Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci at Juventus. ‘He still has a lot to learn from them’.
The former Ajax defender joined Juventus for a reported €85.5m in July 2019, having helped the Dutch giants to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
De Ligt is still only 22 years old but struggled to convince at Juventus in his first months with the team. However, the defender has gradually established himself at the Allianz Stadium.
Gullit, who spent seven years in Serie A with Milan and Sampdoria, believes the possibility of learning from Chiellini and Bonucci will help the Holland international’s development.
De Ligt has already picked up one Scudetto and one Coppa Italia during his time with the Bianconeri and has appeared in 77 competitive games since his switch from the Eredivisie.
“He’s at the best school for defenders, because Bonucci and Chiellini are currently the best around,” Gullit told Sky Sports. “He’s growing very well with them.
“De Ligt is young and group up with another concept of defence, following the idea that the set-up was most important.
“He’s doing well, but at times he’s a bit instinctive. He has to stay calm and anticipate, just like Bonucci and Chiellini do. He still has a lot to learn from them.”
The Netherlands star has started both Serie A games in 2021-22, but Juventus currently sit 12th in the table with one point from two games.
— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) September 7, 2021