Juventus hero Sergio Brio has declared Matthijs de Ligt as the best defender in Serie A.

Brio has dismissed Dutch claims that De Ligt has flopped in Italy.

“De Ligt is the best defender in Serie A, and I honestly can't share the opinion of the great (Marco) van Basten. In Italy he has grown a lot and is still developing," said Brio in an interview with Tuttosport.

“There isn't a more formative league for defenders than ours. What excites me about De Ligt, moreover, is his age. He is not yet 22, and he is very strong. he can become a real phenomenon, because experience is the factor that improves a defender the most.

“De Ligt will acquire more malice and concentration, becoming stronger and stronger. I have always considered him the real great signing of Juventus in the recent years. Even more important than Ronaldo," added the former Juventus captain.

“I'm sure of what I'm saying, mainly because I understand young defenders. I predicted a great career for Simon Kjaer when he was still at Palermo."