West Ham United right-back Ben Johnson has slammed the treatment of Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire by stating ‘there is no need’, as he told the Happy Hour Podcast.
The Hammers academy product added that Maguire is a ‘top player’, for both Manchester United and England, with Gareth Southgate’s side preparing for a quarter-final World Cup clash against France on Saturday.
Before a ball was kicked in Qatar, there was a lot of talk about Maguire’s selection.
At Old Trafford, he has fallen behind summer signing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, even though he dons the captain’s armband.
But, when he is on the international stage, he is a different animal, as West Ham’s Johnson shared his thoughts on the player.
“That’s the one that is so frustrating,” said Johnson. “You will see a comment (on social media of a fan criticising a player), then it’s a spiral. You see it with players now, he can’t do this and he can’t do that. Then everyone else goes, ‘oh, he’s can’t do this and he can’t do that’.
“Then it’s a thing that gets on to the news. It creates a big thing and there is a focus on it. I think players don’t need that. You aren’t going to be able to excel.
“For example, Maguire now, he’s a top player, like someone that England needs and he is just getting caned all the time. There is no need for it.”
ENGLAND V FRANCE
England’s backline is going to face its toughest test under the Southgate tenure when they lock horns with free-scoring and world champions France on Saturday.
Maguire has had an outstanding tournament so far, but if he does the business against the French, then he will seriously shut up his critics.
For some, or even many, he is probably doing it already, but what a statement it would be from the player and his teammates if they can pass this test.
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