Full-backs in the current transfer market are either a rarity or extremely over-priced. Amongst these issues, it seems Barcelona have finalised a long-term full-back in the form of Ajax‘s Sergino Dest. The United States International has been a revelation for the Dutch giants in the wider defensive role.
According to Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Barcelona have almost won the race for the signing of Dest. He also mentioned that the young American was also being scouted by Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
We take a detailed look at Dest’s footballing upbringing. We shall also take a look at what his current role at Ajax is, and how the defender would fit in at Barcelona.
Sergino Dest: A Long-Term Solution for Barcelona
Who is Sergino Dest?
Though he was born in the Netherlands, Dest followed his paternal roots to commit his future to the United States on the international stage.
He made his debut for the US senior team aged 18 and, despite the game ending in a 3-0 loss to Mexico, Dest made sure that he left his mark on the first-team squad. In the year marred by the Coronavirus pandemic, Dest has made three appearances for his country.
The 19-year-old is an explosive right-back who likes to make forward runs whenever possible. Due to a brittle physical frame, he is still weak at holding off the opposition and winning aerial duels. But, he is one of the best passers of the ball in the Ajax setup and dribbles his way out of a crowded spot easily.
Style of Play and Statistics
Ajax are a team who usually dominate the opposition, whether domestically or in Europe. This requires their full-backs to play a wing-back role rather than a traditional full-back one. But, Sergino Dest is a rare combination of both the styles in one body.
His crossing skills are top-notch, but it’s his short passes in the opposition half and one-twos with his team-mates which separate him from the crowd. This also involves his unreal vision of making the right run in the right space.
Dest made 20 appearances (15 starts) for Ajax last season. In these 20 games, he managed to secure four assists, which averages to one assist every four games he plays. That’s an above-average figure considering the fact that he will surely be getting more playing time as every season progresses.
The right-back also had 21 shots.nUsually, full-backs do not have so many shots and rather focus more on sending in crosses.
How Will Sergino Dest fit in at Barcelona?
Barcelona currently have Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo as options for the right-back role. While Roberto was named as a long-term squad player for the Catalans, the signing of Semedo in 2017 only meant that Roberto is not a full-proof plan for the La Liga club in that very position.
Dest might take a couple of seasons to break through into the first-team squad because of his age and lack of experience. He is a proper fit, though, for Barcelona’s current vertical tiki-taka gameplay.
For years, Jordi Alba has been combining with the Barca midfielders and forwards – quick one-twos and sprinting into the box to end up with a perfect assist. Dest is an exact replica of Alba on the right flank. With Ronald Koeman now in-charge of the Blaugranes, it is pretty clear that the club wants to re-instil their philosophies into the current crop.
It will be a really good long-term signing if Barcelona secure the services of Dest for the upcoming season.
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