Matthijs de Ligt

[AjaxAmsterdam]

Welcome to Barcaforum.

Thats why I put a lol in there cause I know I should expect it.

 

[Andrew M]

Since you brought up his athleticism, is it me or is he looking a bit hefty, as in overweight? I mean, he's always had those chubby cheeks but he may have gained more - unnecessary - muscle in comparison to last season or something.

He does seem a bit chubby. It might just be his physique, though. He's not got the body of a modern CB

 

[AjaxAmsterdam]

He does seem a bit chubby. It might just be his physique, though. He's not got the body of a modern CB

In the youth he had the nickname "dikkie" which means fatty. So he always has to put in alot of work which he does (go to his instagram there is no fat on him judging by his beach videos and pics with his girl).

Also at Ajax they had to cut his shorts cus his legs are too big fit in it and thats all muscle.

People here say he lacks athleticism clearly havnt watched him , fact is he might have been too hyped because of his athleticism. Which happens to alot of youngsters who are athletically ahead of their agegroups.

 

[Andrew M]

In the youth he had the nickname "dikkie" which means fatty. So he always has to put in alot of work which he does (go to his instagram there is no fat on him judging by his beach videos and pics with his girl).

Also at Ajax they had to cut his shorts cus his legs are too big fit in it and thats all muscle.

People here say he lacks athleticism clearly havnt watched him , fact is he might have been too hyped because of his athleticism. Which happens to alot of youngsters who are athletically ahead of their agegroups.

I have watched him and I don't think that's true.

This is a quote from Ruben Jongkind: 'Despite the fact he was very young his movement skills were not up to the level. He didn't run well. Also his agility, stability and mobility had to improve. We worked hard on that with a specialised plan.' He has everything but his mobility is where is he not naturally gifted, which is contrary to modern CBs

 

[AjaxAmsterdam]

I have watched him and I don't think that's true.

This is a quote from Ruben Jongkind: 'Despite the fact he was very young his movement skills were not up to the level. He didn't run well. Also his agility, stability and mobility had to improve. We worked hard on that with a specialised plan.' He has everything but his mobility is where is he not naturally gifted, which is contrary to modern CBs

Ye they worked with him with a mobility coach in the youth. Not still. And he was ahead athletically in the youth thats why he played in teams of higher age since I think 11 or so and if you watch some of those games in youtube (which is fun cus includes people like a 14 year old kluivert etc) kids were bouncing off him lol.

Maybe we have a missunderstanding when I say athetically I mean more then just his movement. I mean all his physical features that attribute to his game and in that sense has has always been ahead.

 

[Andrew M]

Ye they worked with him with a mobility coach in the youth. Not still. And he was ahead athletically in the youth thats why he played in teams of higher age since I think 11 or so and if you watch some of those games in youtube (which is fun cus includes people like a 14 year old kluivert etc) kids were bouncing off him lol.

Maybe we have a missunderstanding when I say athetically I mean more then just his movement. I mean all his physical features that attribute to his game and in that sense has has always been ahead.

By athleticism I mean his speed, mobility, acceleration, recovery, stamina, balance etc. Players like Van Dijk and Varane. Perhaps you mean his size and physicality. It seems he was pretty much fully developed in a physical sense at a very young age which would have given him the advantage at youth levels you're talking about. Obviously there's more to being a CB than being able to sprint and turn well.

But the modern game is being played in such a way that having CBs who are like olympic sprinters is very useful.

 

[AjaxAmsterdam]

By athleticism I mean his speed, mobility, acceleration, recovery, stamina, balance etc. Players like Van Dijk and Varane. Perhaps you mean his size and physicality. It seems he was pretty much fully developed in a physical sense at a very young age which would have given him the advantage at youth levels you're talking about. Obviously there's more to being a CB than being able to sprint and turn well.

But the modern game is being played in such a way that having CBs who are like olympic sprinters is very useful.

He wasnt a CB in the youth though , he was left mid and he scored quite a bit. His stamina was always great,so was his strength plus he wasnt slow only thing was he was a bit clumsy and worked on that.

 

[Andrew M]

He wasnt a CB in the youth though , he was left mid and he scored quite a bit. His stamina was always great,so was his strength plus he wasnt slow only thing was he was a bit clumsy and worked on that.

Wasn't he played in midfield to develop because at CB it was too easy for him at youth level?

 

[EdmondDantes]

Should he have moved to Man Utd if he was so adamant on being a starter?

It was clear as day Raiola didn't want him here straight away; since he wanted that middle man commission in 3 years' time. Maybe they were a better stepping stone than Juventus.

 

[DonAK]

He'll probably be a starter mid-way through the season when Raiola puts pressure on Juventus.

 

[Givenchy]

Should he have moved to Man Utd if he was so adamant on being a starter?

It was clear as day Raiola didn't want him here straight away; since he wanted that middle man commission in 3 years' time. Maybe they were a better stepping stone than Juventus.

United would of been a much better move, not only would he be playing in a tougher league learning more, he'd be on bigger wages also. if they didn't make the CL he'd have a perfect excuse to leave

 

[AjaxAmsterdam]

United would of been a much better move, not only would he be playing in a tougher league learning more, he'd be on bigger wages also. if they didn't make the CL he'd have a perfect excuse to leave

United is a complete mess.

I think PSG wouldve been the best move , clear step up from the Eredivisie but not at the level of the top leagues. He wouldve had time to develop more since pressure isnt as high for PSG.

 

[mc_lovin]

PSG is too comfortable and you dont get out there. But still early days. Its not like he was benched for 5 games in a row.

 

[Calidad]

People are questioning the move after a single game? Christ on a bike.

 

[BBZ8800]

People are questioning the move after a single game? Christ on a bike.

10 or 20 years ago it was perfectly normal that young players start as squad players and turn into starters in the 2nd or 3rd season.

But today, too many kids are hyped as generational talents and the best in the world.
And people want them to play from day 1, since, if you buy a hype=no one is better than those kids.

And people start riots if they don't play from the day 1.

Chiellini and Bonucci have 500 and 350 matches for Juve.
They played as a pair for 8 seasons.
It is quite normal that De Ligt will be slowly integrated in a team.