Everton’s defensive issues increased in the last few weeks when Seamus Coleman suffered a horrible leg break which will see him miss the rest of the calendar year. Ramiro Funes-Mori had a meniscus injury in the international break which will see him miss the remaining games in the season as well. This has caused the club hierarchy to target new defenders in the summer with Hull City’s Harry Maguire being top of the priority list for the Toffees, according to numerous English publications.
Despite a faltering current campaign for the Tigers, Harry Maguire has been one of the few shining lights for Marco Silva’s men. He has been stellar in defence and has impressed many top English clubs by his robust style of play from the back. The 24-year old has been a kind of late bloomer in his career with the Sheffield United academy graduate gaining popularity after joining Hull back in 2014. He joined them in a £2.5 million deal but was sent on loan to Wigan in his first season.
Maguire was instrumental in Hull’s promotion bid and has improved leaps and bounds to garner interest from the likes of Middlesbrough and Southampton. According to Daily Mail, Maguire has turned down a new contract with Hull and is ready to take the next leap that is required in his career.
Ronald Koeman is looking at reinforcements in his defence who can form the backbone of his Everton side in the years to come. The 24-year old Maguire is an old school no-nonsense kind of player who has an aerial prowess to envy for. Maguire also never shies away from a tackle and is an adaptive player in a number of formations. He has played in a back three and a back four for Hull this season which has been also the case at Everton.
Everton’s current crop of centre backs won’t be at the club for long with Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka aged 32 and 34 respectively. Koeman has to prepare for the club’s future and signing Maguire will be the first step in that direction.
Though his playing style can be said as being similar to the existing defenders at the club, Maguire is yet to reach his peak years as an athlete which means he can still improve his all round game and develop into a physical beast on the field. He is surely worth the fuss which has surrounded him in recent months as Everton should act quickly to secure his services.
