Matthijs de Ligt has revealed he wasn’t always a defender and started out in midfield where he scored lots of goals and made some assists too.
De Ligt moved to Juventus in the summer, with a reputation that saw him arrive as one of Europe’s finest and experienced young defenders.
After a shaky start to life in Italy, the 20-year-old has been integral in a Juventus side that hold a shaky lead at the top of the Serie A summit.
Despite all the potential De Ligt has shown as a defender, he says he actually started out in a more offensive role.
The Dutchman gave an interview to UEFA’s official website via Football-Italia, and touched upon an array of topics about his career so far.
“Up to the age of 15 I played as a playmaker. I played a lot in midfield, scored a few goals and made some assists,” De Ligt told the website.
“But then they told me that for my career it would be better to play as a central defender.
“At the beginning I thought: ‘I don’t like playing in defence,’ but I now realize that playing as a midfielder has helped me. I am happy with my development.”
Juventus face Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday and De Ligt will be hoping his side come on top against a team he is very familiar with from his days at Ajax.
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