Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has urged his compatriot Matthijs de Ligt to stay at Juventus amid reported interest from the Red Devils.
The Netherlands international has struggled during his maiden campaign with the Old Lady, making 20 league appearances during an injury-hit season.
United have supposedly reignited their interest in the 20-year-old, but Stam believes that De Ligt will eventually find his feet in Italy's top flight.
Speaking to TuttoJuve, Stam said: "He was criticised a little but had to understand how to adapt to a different style of football. He's still young and Matthijs is at a big club with far more pressure than he was accustomed to.
"The standard of opponent he is facing in Italy is also far higher than in the Netherlands.
"Juventus invested a large sum to sign him, some would say too much, but in my view he has done well so far. The experience has made him believe in himself more. He just needs to learn Italian so he can communicate with his teammates.
"They are top-level defenders, real winners accustomed to the biggest games. They are the best centre-backs in Italy and they can teach him so much on the art of defending.
"I think it's fundamental that De Ligt stays at Juve for many years, because it's the only way to improve, by dealing with the best, learning to live with pressure in important Champions League and Serie A games."
De Ligt has registered two goals in 27 appearances across all competitions for Juve this term.
Ben Knapton
