Barcelona finally win the race for Sergiño Dest transfer
Ajax’s Dest agrees on move to Barcelona
In what has seemed a long running saga for Barcelona, they have finally managed to secure the signature of their future right back with Sergiño Dest agreeing on terms to move to La Blaugrana.
With the recent sale of Nelson Semedo to Wolves to free up funds, Barcelona moved quickly to secure the promising American international ahead of interest from Bayern Munich who are also on the look out for a new full back.
Sergio Roberto featured at right back in Barcelona’s first game of the season, a 4-0 triumph over Villarreal but as the season progresses the young American is likely to get his chance to feature in the side’s back line.
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Dest is a perfect example of the modern fullback, showing a penchant to get forward at every opportunity afforded as well as defending diligently.
The American is blindingly quick and allies this with a supreme confidence on the ball and offers a viable outlet for his side in every game. Last season in his first term with the senior side, Dest featured in 20 league games registering four assists.
Schooled in Ajax’s youth teams, the fullback displays all the traits they preach adept at passing, dribbling and playing with intelligence. Dest does not waste his passes when he get’s the ball often choosing the correct path, whether that be a simple pass to a team mate or a pass to break the lines and take the team forward.
For a young defender he shows maturity, rarely diving into tackles preferring to jockey his opponent to an area of the pitch he does not want to go or to stick a foot in and steal the ball away.
Dest is intelligent enough to maintain the team’s defensive shape but should he be caught out of position he has that burst of pace to recover and foil his opponent.
A main feature of Barcelona’s play has always been with the skill and width provided by it’s full backs and they should now have secured the balance for the right hand side with Dest.
With Roberto already at the club, Koeman can take his time introducing the full back to the team, allowing him to settle with his new team mates and the style of play. At Barcelona he will continue to learn his trade and as he gets older ( he will be turning 20 in November) will continue to strengthen his core and compete physically with the step up in competition.
Born in Holland to a Dutch mother and American father, the fullback was the subject of a tug of war between the two nations for his allegiance and was seen as a coup when he sided with the USA forming a very exciting core of up and coming players, the vast majority cutting their teeth in Europe.
His love for Barcelona was well noted and was quoted in numerous interviews about one day representing the club and it appears that dream has come true sooner rather than later and with his ability he will no doubt but be a star.
Are you guys excited to see Dest play for Barcelona or should he have chosen Bayern Munich?