Transfer News: Chelsea plotting bid for Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt
According to transfer news on Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t football.london), Chelsea are considering making another effort to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus.
The Blues possess a rich vein of defensive talent in their ranks. But it has not stopped them from eyeing other potential targets to strengthen the team. A fine centre-back already, De Ligt came into the limelight during his time at boyhood club Ajax.
He captained the wonder side to the semi-final of the Champions League in 2019. In the following summer, he sealed a move to Juventus. The defender won the Scudetto in his debut season at the club, further underlining his propensity to excel on the biggest of stages.
The Turin outfit has since been in a rebuilding process but could apparently sacrifice the Dutch international. This has caught the eye of the Blues, especially after they failed to sign him in the summer.
A good deal to complete?
Besides the finances, there is no real downside to signing the 22-year-old. We already comprise a good mix between the youth and experience in our team. Put De Ligt in here, and we would become a real force to reckon with in Europe for years to come.
The centre-back has already established himself as a leader and has dined with some of the best defenders of the current generation. He is an established international, proving his quality beyond domestic football. However, one must consider the repercussions this deal might have on the young stars at the club.
In the past two seasons, Chelsea has given some confidence to the Cobham graduates that there is a way to make it into the first team. Trevoh Chalobah, in particular, has proved his case in the backline. Malang Sarr, albeit not a part of the academy, might also take note of this move. Xavier Mbuyamba is also making strides in the U-23s and could hope for game-time in the senior team.
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However, this might not be the worst problem. Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta are in the twilight of their careers. Antonio Rudiger is in the final year of his contract and might leave in the summer. Thus, there are several roles to occupy as De Ligt would be a signing for our present and the future.
Making use of a three-at-the-back system, Tuchel would receive a big boost if a player of De Ligt’s pedigree were to be added. Having already shown his leadership skills at an early, it’s not audacious to think that he could become our future leader- if he does end up coming to Stamford Bridge.