According to recent reports from the Daily Star, Tottenham Hotspur are in the hunt to get the signature of Hull City centre-back Harry Maguire in the summer transfer window. The 23-year old has been immense for the Tigers this term and has turned a new leaf under new boss Marco Silva, catching the eyes of several Premier League clubs, including the likes of Everton, Southampton and West Ham United – who were all interested in making a move for the Englishman in January.
Given his form and growth in stature at the KCom Arena this season, there are no doubts that Hull would be extremely reluctant to lose him. But given their relegation struggles and with interest from Tottenham, it could very well emerge that Maguire could end up in North London come summer if the Lilywhites come in with a sizeable bid.
Tottenham have one of the best defence in the Premier League, but a move for Maguire in the upcoming summer makes total sense for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Here are three reasons why:
Kevin Wimmer’s Struggles
Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are the undisputed first-choice central defenders at White Hart Lane and deservedly so, given their stellar performances over the past two years. However, Tottenham have struggled to cope with the absence of either of the two Belgian stars from their starting XI due to injuries or suspension.
Kevin Wimmer was signed in the summer of 2015 to provide defensive cover for the team and the Austrian impressed heavily in a handful of performances last term, earning a new and improved long-term contract with the club. However, he has struggled to repeat that form this season and on many occasions, has emerged as the weakest link in the Tottenham defence. There has been a growing unrest among the loyals regarding his performances and he has been constantly linked with a move back to his former club FC Koln.
While Wimmer has shown glimpses of his capabilities, Tottenham now are a club competing on various fronts and are title challengers and cannot afford to carry players who aren’t up to the level. Maguire has shown he can step up for Hull in their relegation fight and could prove to be the perfect cover for the first team at the Lane.
Eric Dier’s Value in Midfield
Another player who has been asked to fill in at the centre-back role during the absence of Alderweireld and Vertonghen in recent times, Dier has failed to ooze any sort of confidence with his dull and inconsistent displays in the heart of the defence.
Dier had excelled brilliantly in the role of a midfielder last season and began this term on a strong note in the middle of the park. However, injuries to his teammates meant he had to deputize as a central defender. However, the Englishman hasn’t had the best of times there and in recent weeks there have been strong calls from Tottenham supporters to drop him from the first team.
While there are no doubts over his potential, it is clear that Dier, who was a defender primarily, looks far more comfortable playing in the centre of the pitch and as a result, bringing in another defender like Maguire, who has shown great promise, could be the right way forward for Spurs.
Maguire’s Potential and Scope for Growth
Harry Maguire has been with Hull City since 2014, but it was not until this term that the 23-year old has stood out for the Tigers. With his excellent displays in the backline, Maguire has emerged as a leader for the Premier League strugglers.
The Englishman has shown great awareness at the heart of the defence and is also a force to be reckoned with in the air due to his physical stature and as a result is a great threat from set-pieces and is an exceptional tackler as well. For someone so big, Maguire possesses a deceptive turn of pace and has, on many occasions, shown immense confidence in carrying the ball out of the defence, so much so that he has won 76% of his take-on attempts in the Premier League. The Tigers’ defender has also displayed an eye to pick out his teammates from the deeper areas, making him a suitable fit for the way Tottenham play.
In Maguire, Spurs will get a young English defender, who has shown loads of promise and potential and has proven that he belongs at this level. And at 23 years of age, he still has a long way to go and he will only get better from here. And hence, bringing him in into their ranks will be a great piece of business for Tottenham.