One World Cup star that every Premier League Top 5 team should Sign

Manchester City- Harry Maguire

Sweden v England: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Ever since Harry Maguire delighted the world (especially those in England) with his solid defense, aerial dominance in set-pieces (especially attacking ones) and propensity to be fodder for memes, he has been linked with a big-money move. In fact, Maguire has been most closely linked with Manchester United as the Red Devils in need of a more consistent defender.

Yet, Maguire would fit in best with champions Manchester City. The Citizens were brilliant last season, as their passing football managed to allow them to dominate the Premier League in a manner that very few teams have managed in the past two and a half decades. However, if there is one issue that the team faces, then it is in the air. The team only won 13.8 aerial duels per game, easily the least in the Premier League.

If there is one Premier League defender who can help improve this, then it is Harry Maguire. The Leicester City defender won 5.7 aerials duels per game in the World Cup, 7th in the tournament. Opposing teams will try and target City’s perceived aerial weakness and buying Maguire could help solve that.

Man City already have a paucity of central defenders yet none of them match Maguire’s skillset. Vincent Kompany is at the end of his career while Nicolas Otamendi’s decline is just about to begin. Aymeric Laporte and John Stones are both tall and stout at the back, but neither is aerially dominant. He would also give Guardiola an extra option when the Spanish manager opts for a three-man central defense.

There might be some worries about Maguire’s ability to fit in with City’s passing style. Yet Maguire played in a Guardiola-inspired England side and his passing was brilliant with a pass success percentage of 88.8% and 62.3 successful passes per game. Thus Maguire could fit in perfectly alongside England teammates Stones, Laporte and/or Otamendi.

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Edited by Siddharth Ostwal