When Matthijs de Ligt arrived at Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, there was a great exception placed upon the Dutch defender.
Despite having failed to make a lasting impression in Serie A with Juventus, there was undoubtedly still a significant amount of talent and potential in the former Ajax centre-back, and quickly, he made a name for himself at the Allianz Arena.
While injuries would hold de Ligt back for short lengths, for the majority of his time in Bavaria, when he was fit, he started every week, becoming the only regular and reliable feature in Bayern’s backline.
However, despite this, in the summer, when it came to offloading one of their key defenders, Der Rekordmeister elected to push de Ligt out of the door in a €45 million move to the Premier League.
In a decision that frustrated many Bayern fans, speaking upon why he is happy at Old Trafford after the Netherlands’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, it became clear that it was also a decision that upset de Ligt, as he fired a shot towards the Bundesliga:
“Because I stay in the spotlight… the Premier League has more spectators, the Bundesliga less.”
Nevertheless, it appears as though this move was the best option for all parties, as Bayern were able to offload one of their sellable assets, while de Ligt can continue to play regular football at one of European football’s most recognisable clubs.
But whether the record champions will live to regret selling arguably their best defender is yet to be seen.
GGFN | Will Shopland
