Matthijs De Ligt had an evening to forget in Juventus’ thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Roma, giving away a penalty that could have been costly.
The 22-year-old Dutch centre back was also sent off for the incident, when his hand blocked a shot in the 80th minute of the match against the Giallorossi this evening. It was 4-3 to the Bianconeri at the time, and De Ligt’s mistake could have caused the Turin side to drop two points at the Stadio Olimpico.
Recent reports suggest that both Barcelona and Chelsea are incredibly keen to sign the 22-year-old De Ligt, who is contracted to Juventus until 2024. His agent Mino Raiola also hinted that the player may be ready for a breath of fresh air, saying recently that it was time for ‘a new step’ in his career.
De Ligt had a poor performance against Roma and the red card was emblematic of his forgettable match. Although he won’t leave the club in this transfer window, a possible departure in the summer is now becoming more and more likely, and it’s possible that this is on his mind.
Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are both currently out on the sidelines, meaning that Massimiliano Allegri will be pointing to the Dutchman in a crucial stage of the season. The former Ajax man cannot afford to be distracted by his future, and instead must be fully focused as the race for a top four spot enters the decisive stages.