‘Man Utd ask too much of him’: international star on why Harry Maguire has struggled this season

Giorgio Chiellini has defended England and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire after a difficult year in the Premier League.

The centre-back’s recent selection in the England squad has received plenty of criticism from fans and pundits.

Maguire has found himself dropped from the recent starting line-ups at club level after failing to impress for much of the previous year.

However, his Italy counterpart Chiellini has praised the defender after facing him in the Euro 2020 final.

Speaking to The Times, the 38-year-old said: “I am sad for Maguire’s situation because he is a good player.

“They [Man United] require too much of him. Just because they paid £80 million for him, he has to be the best in the world every match? It’s not right.

“The value of the market is dependent on many aspects you can’t control. It’s not your fault.”

Maguire joined the Red Devils in a record-breaking deal for a defender back in 2019 but has endured a mixed time at Old Trafford. In contrast, the former Leicester City has tended to impress on the international stage.

On Maguire’s performances for England, Chiellini said: “Him and [John] Stones are a good duo. OK, Maguire maybe is not Rio Ferdinand but he’s good enough.

“With this situation it’s not helping [England] to do the best. If you want to win the World Cup it’s impossible to do it with some problems in the key players, and for sure Maguire is one of the key players of the team.”