A Career in Free Fall

Close to a decade ago, whispers began to rise about the next great defensive talent. Molded in the Ajax academy, Matthijs de Ligt burst onto the scene with ten Hag’s great sides.

After a disappointment at Bayern, the Dutchman finds his career at the opposite end of what was expected.

The Ajax sides, who shocked the world, promised to introduce Europe to the next batch of superstars. Frankie de Jong and Hakim Ziyech combined with de Ligt to form the core of youngsters ready to take on the world.

Since leaving Amsterdam, the defender bounced around two of Europe’s giants without ever truly growing. At Juve, where he played his best, de Ligt seemed ready to become Chiellini’s replacement. With Juve’s financial issues, they dumped him off at Bayern, where he never fit in.

One of the Dutchman’s issues is that he doesn’t really fit into the modern game. A better defensive talent than Ake, de Ligt found himself frozen out of the Dutch lineup because of fit. On his best day, he can be one of the best ball stoppers, but he adds nothing else.

When he burst onto the scene, de Ligt entered a footballing world, moving on from the style he fit.

Only in Italy did he find a home, but this United move spells the end of the dreams many had for him.

PHOTO: ClutchPoints

Die-hard Football Manager fans knew of the Dutchman when he was still coming out of the Ajax academy. He promised to add to what was becoming a Dutch revolution.

Coming out of the Ajax academy puts immense pressure on any youngster. To graduate from there means that you are the future of the sport. Joining de Jong in ten Hag’s revolution, the two spearheaded the Ajax side that shocked the World.

Over the course of a two-leg quarterfinal, de Ligt played the best football of his life against Juve. Playing incredible defense against a frontline of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala and scoring a key goal to push Ajax to the semis. This series announced de Ligt to the World, as at just 20, he had carried his team past a Champions League favorite.

Perhaps it was getting cooked by the Dutchman that pushed Juve to bring the talent to Turin. In what proved to be one of the best moves from Juve in that period, de Ligt found a new home.

If Allegri’s system brings the best out of a certain type of player, it’s defensive-minded. With Chiellini nearing the end of his career, de Ligt promised to carry that torch forward. To be fair to him, de Ligt continued to play his best football and dominate Serie A forwards.

Eventually, Juve’s financial issues necessitated his sale, but ending up at Bayern seemed to be perfect. However, no manager really trusted him, preferring to play defenders who were better on the ball. By the time the club brought in Kim Min-Jae, the club was prepared to move on from the Dutchman.

When ten Hag came calling, it was the last lifeline for a player who saw the dreams hoisted onto him fall apart.

Joining United at the bottom of your career rarely works, and thus far, it’s been a disaster.

In the seasons following his move to Italy, de Ligt’s profile began to stumble. Going from a generational talent to a fine starter for a good side.

Returning to the comparison to Chiellini, the Dutchman paralleled the Italian great the most. He is a tough, well-built defender who makes up for his lack of pace with superb defensive stops. Leaving the Serie A hurt his development, as the league fits defenders like that the best.

Other leagues, like the Bundesliga and Prem, demand more out of defenders. They need to be fast enough to move in the counterattack. While the Dutchman grew as a passer, he still ranks behind the truly elite in his position.

Another area where he has failed to really grow remains as a ball stopper. Despite coming out of Ajax promising to be the next great defender, the move to different leagues harmed that talent.

Every club that he has moved to since leaving Ajax seems to be in a state of turmoil. The Dutchman joined Juve at the tail end of their dominance, and a Bayern side fell apart. United’s mess needs no introduction, but all this affects his development.

Constant churn moved him from a no-doubt starter for the Dutch team to a fringe starter. His lag in development continues to hold him back. Until he finds a way to play at a high level again, this is his curse.

Amorim may still unlock the potential that still exists in de Ligt.

With him, United can give him the space to grow with nothing left to gain this season.

A decade ago, de Ligt tantalized the World with his potential. Many called him the next Pique or Ramos, a born winner meant to dominate, but now, he is an afterthought.

Still only 25, a chance remains that he could still find a way back to the top, but it’s slim.

PHOTO: ClutchPoints