MY ACCOUNT
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Dietmar Hamann has admitted he’s “cautious” about the club’s deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus.
The 22-year-old has swapped Turin for the German capital ahead of the 2022-23 season, following what was a difficult three-year stint in Italy.
De Ligt struggled to establish himself as a core member of Juventus’ defence and, as a result, saw his stock fall dramatically after previously being widely considered to be one of the best defensive prospects in world football.
Bayern will hope that he can fulfil that potential in Bavaria but Hamann has urged caution about expecting too much from the Netherlands international.
“The big question will be whether De Ligt is able to lead the defence,” he told Sky, “He did a wonderful job in Amsterdam. He didn’t make it in Turin.
“Of course, it was a bigger club, bigger competition and he had very experienced players next to him.
“And I don’t know if he’s the player who comes here now at 22 and immediately leads a defence that was Champions League winners two years ago.
“He may have two world champions next to him in Pavard and Hernandez. That all sounds wonderful. Whether this can then be implemented in practice remains to be seen.”
De Ligt is not the only member of Ajax’s 2018-19 Champions League semi-final side that has found difficulties since moving to new teams, with Donny Van de Beek at Manchester United and Hakim Ziyech at Chelsea struggling for regular opportunities – which Hamann pointed out.
“All the players who left the very successful Ajax team three years ago were all at best followers of their new clubs,” he added.
“And that’s why he still owes the proof that he can lead a defence like that of Bayern Munich. I would be a bit cautious.”
