Giorgio Chiellini, who is in favor of Harry Maguire, says the Manchester United captain is a “great player” with an unfortunate price tag.
The England international set a record for the most expensive defender in the world when he moved from Leicester to Old Trafford for £80 million ($91 million).
However, Maguire was cut from the squad after United’s 2022–23 Premier League season opened with consecutive defeats to Brentford and Brighton.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
The 29-year-old has occasionally struggled to live up to his high reputation, but Italy icon Chiellini believes that the criticism directed at him is unwarranted.
What did Chiellini have to say on Maguire?
Chiellini, the winner of Euro 2020, defended Maguire after he announced his retirement from international competition in April after racking up 117 caps. I am sorry for Maguire’s situation since he is a good player, he said in a statement to The Times.
He is asked to do too much by them. Does he have to win every game just because they spent £80 million on him? It’s improper.
“Many factors that you cannot control affect the market’s worth. You are not at blame.
He and [John Stones] make a great team. Maguire may not be Rio Ferdinand, but he is still good. It’s difficult for [England] to perform at its best in this circumstance.
“It’s hard to win the World Cup with some issues in the important players, and Maguire is without a doubt one of the team’s essential players,”
As England returns to UEFA Nations League play this week against Italy before facing Germany the following Monday, Maguire, who is currently short on minutes and form at the club level, could receive game time.