SNIP, HIP HARRY
Classy Maguire was real bargain at just £18m.. he must be worth a fortune now says Schmeichel
HARRY MAGUIRE has been hailed an £18million bargain by Leicester skipper Kasper Schmeichel.
Centre-back Maguire has continued to blossom since a summer switch from relegated Hull.
And against Watford he underlined his progress, at the expense of his old Tigers mentor Marco Silva, who was sacked following this defeat.
Given Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool £75m, Maguire’s capture is looking increasingly astute. Even Pep Guardiola was impressed, complimenting the 24-year-old on the pitch following the penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup last month.
Against the Hornets, Maguire’s form helped Leicester to a fifth successive clean sheet.
And Schmeichel admits the skilful defender, who has three England caps, is at times almost too comfortable with the ball at his feet.
“Harry is a great player,” said the Foxes keeper. “In the crazy world of football £18m is a bargain.
“Now, with the market as it is, I dread to think what Harry would be worth. I would think it would be quite a mark up already.
“He has so much ability, sometimes too much ability. Sometimes behind him you get a little scared about what he’s going to do but it comes off 99 per cent of the time. He’s big enough and old enough to know when to do things and when he shouldn’t do things so you don’t really need to say anything.
“He’s coming on leaps and bounds. He’s going to be a top player. He is calm on the ball and calm on the pitch in a good way but off the pitch he’s very loud and very lairy.”
Maguire (left) made a crucial block when the hosts were 1-0 up before Riyad Mahrez ensured victory.
Earlier Vardy took his league tally to double figures this term when he won and converted a first-half penalty.
An eighth defeat in 11 league games and the threat of a relegation battle was too much for the Hornets board, who axed Silva yesterday.
Leicester are up to seventh and impressing under Claude Puel, who has lost just four of his 18 games in charge.
Schmeichel added: “He’s changed the formation. We were always a straightforward 4-4-2 team and he’s changed to the 4-2-3-1 system.
“We try to pass it a bit more. Instead of always trying for the killer pass as soon as we win it back he’s tried to make it a little bit more possession-based and it’s been good for us.”