Former Juventus defender Medhi Benatia has praised both Merih Demiral and Matthijs de Ligt, predicting a great future for the defensive duo at the Allianz Stadium.
The Dutch starlet arrived at the Allianz Stadium last summer and has played 20 games in Serie A after replacing an injured Giorgio Chiellini in the defence.
“De Ligt has everything it takes to stay ten years in Turin,” Benatia told Tuttosport. “He is one of the best around and, since he arrived in Turin, he has developed in training next to many great champions.
Former Juventus defender Medhi Benatia has praised both Merih Demiral and Matthijs de Ligt, predicting a great future for the defensive duo at the Allianz Stadium.
The Dutch starlet arrived at the Allianz Stadium last summer and has played 20 games in Serie A after replacing an injured Giorgio Chiellini in the defence.
“De Ligt has everything it takes to stay ten years in Turin,” Benatia told Tuttosport. “He is one of the best around and, since he arrived in Turin, he has developed in training next to many great champions.
After having claimed the 20-year-old is one for the future at the Old Lady, he pointed out that Demiral threatened to steal his place in the side mid-season. The Turkey international played five times for the Bianconeri, pushing De Ligt to the bench, before suffering a serious injury against Roma.
Benatia insisted that he had predicted to see the former Sassuolo defender in the line-up after having watched the 22-year-old star during the preparational friendly games last summer.
“But I also like Demiral, he impressed me from the first game, the summer friendly against Inter. He confirmed the words of a friend of mine at Sassuolo.
“I also spoke to [Miralem] Pjanic about it. I told him he would play, even if Mire was a little sceptical. Demiral can be aggressive, breathe the attacker down the neck, always looking to anticipate. It’s sad about the injury.”