Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt has claimed Tottenham star Davinson Sanchez is an “animal” when he crosses the white line.
In an interview with the November edition of FourFourTwo, the Ajax defender delivered some insight into his former teammate Sanchez.
The duo were the regular centre-back partnership at the Dutch giants during the 2016-17 season in which Ajax reached the Europa League final, only to be defeated by Manchester United.
“He’s really nice, but when he goes on the pitch he’s like an animal,” De Ligt told FourFourTwo of Sanchez. “Off the pitch, he’s humble and quiet – a little shy. Then he gets on the pitch and it’s like, ‘Whoa, what is going on here?’”
OPINION
Could De Ligt follow Sanchez (as well as Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen) in making the well-trodden path from Amsterdam to north London? There has been much speculation about that possibility, with Tottenham linked with a £50million move for the 19-year-old centre-back over the summer as they looked to replace another former Ajax player Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian eventually stayed but he has still yet to sign a new contract and is likely to leave next year if the stalemate continues. De Ligt is widely regarded as one of the outstanding young defenders in Europe. He is the Ajax captain and already has 76 first team appearances under his belt even though still a teenager. Crucially, De Ligt is getting Champions League experience this season and has been a key player for the team that sit top of a group that includes Bayern Munich. Spurs will face plenty of competition to secure a defender who looks every bit as good as the older and impressive Colombian Sanchez.