Former Juventus defender Medhi Benatia says young pair Matthijs de Ligt and Merih Demiral are destined for big things.

De Ligt is in his first season with Juve, having arrived in the summer from Ajax.

"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.

“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."