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Hull City star would be a starter for Tottenham

By Rucker Haringey

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Harry Maguire of Hull City celebrates scoring his sides first goal with his Hull City team mates during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Hull City at Bet365 Stadium on April 15, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Harry Maguire of Hull City celebrates scoring his sides first goal with his Hull City team mates during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Hull City at Bet365 Stadium on April 15, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Critics are wrong about Hull City defender Harry Maguire

Numerous pundits seem to think that Harry Maguire might snub Tottenham for Everton because of playing time. The general consensus is that he’d be a starter for the Toffees, but a sub for Spurs. The truth is, he’d likely be a member of either club’s starting XI.

Numerous English reports claim that Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman will battle for the talented English defender. Hull City are asking for a transfer fee in excess of £20 million for their best player. The Tigers recent relegation to the Championship combined with the fact that only one year remains on Maguire’s contract means he’ll almost certainly be sold this summer.

The general idea is that he favours Tottenham due to their qualification for Champions League football but prefers the clear path towards playing time at Everton. On the surface, I can understand that line of thinking. However, further analysis of Spurs’ roster shows that’s an erroneous line of thinking.

Yes, it’s true that Tottenham have an outstanding pair of starting centre backs in the form of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. The Belgian duo have an almost telekinetic connection that allows them to keep Premier League attackers at bay. It’s true that Maguire probably can’t unseat either of them in Pochettino’s starting XI.

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Fortunately for the prospects of Maguire’s move to Tottenham, Pochettino experienced a tactical renaissance this season at White Hart Lane. He frequently swapped his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation to play three at the back. That forced Eric Dier to move out of the defensive midfield to become the club’s third starting centre back.

Dier was reasonably effective playing as a central defender, but it’s not his best position. Not only does he prefer to play as a defensive midfielder, it’s also where he performs best. Part of the allure of purchasing Maguire this summer is that it would allow Dier to move back to the double-pivot.

That leaves one central defensive position open for Maguire. He could thrive playing next to Vertonghen and Alderweireld to form one of the Premier League’s best defensive back lines. Maguire could play in either the middle or right-side of Pochettino’s back three.

Next: Tottenham may lose out on top defensive target

Harry Maguire may not sign for Tottenham this summer, but he shouldn’t snub Spurs due to concerns over playing time. Pochettino’s preference to deploy a back three creates a perfect opening for Maguire in the club’s starting XI.

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