Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
England fans fume as pundit calls star 'German Harry Maguire' after World Cup exit
Germany were dumped out of the World Cup and their stars have been criticised in the media.
England train ahead of Senegal clash
England fans were not happy after former Tottenham midfielder and Dutch pundit Rafael van der Vaart hit out at Germany defender Niklas Sule following the Germans’ exit from the World Cup. Despite Hansi Flick’s side securing a 4-2 win over Costa Rica, Japan’s 2-1 victory over Spain ensured that they would qualify for the knock-out stage as group winners, with Spain runners-up.
Following their surprise exit from the tournament, Germany defender Sule was singled out by Van der Vaart on Dutch TV. ''Germany have a problem in defence,” Van der Vaart claimed. “Sule is not world-class. He is the German Harry Maguire."
It was the latest attack on the Manchester United defender from Van der Vaart, who has criticised the England man in the past while the centre-back was also recently mocked in the Ghanaian parliament as one MP cruelly compared the country’s vice-president to the defender as he was accused of scoring economic “own goals” during a debate.
England fans were quick to back Maguire though after a string of impressive performances for his country at the World Cup. “Maguire and [John] Stones have been some of the best defenders in the tournament so far,” one fan tweeted in response to Van der Vaart’s comment, as England have kept two clean sheets at the tournament against Wales and the USA.
JUST IN: Chelsea boss Graham Potter warned of player revolt because of Tuchel
Several fans felt that the repeated criticism Maguire has faced over the past two years is harsh. “No love for Maguire but starting to feel it’s becoming a bit of a pile-on,” another fan claimed. “Had a good tournament so far and everyone continues to take a pop.”
Van der Vaart played for Spurs and Real Madrid in his career, and earned over 100 caps for Holland, but one fan claimed that his experience at the top level of football has not aided his opinions as a pundit. “For such a good player, his lack of football knowledge is astounding,” a third fan wrote. “Harry Maguire is a top defender.”
One England fan launched a staunch defence of Maguire, claiming that the United man is one of the country’s greatest-ever centre-backs. “Take it easy Mr. Van der Vaart,” he tweeted.
“Harry Maguire is one of the best defenders of England, ever. Think again and think well because you are expulsing stupid things. Harry Maguire is [a] living legend of football, every fan of football knows him.”
Despite being dropped by United boss Erik ten Hag in favour of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane this season, Maguire has retained the faith of England boss Gareth Southgate as the 29-year-old has a stellar record for his country that he will hope to maintain as the Three Lions aim for World Cup glory this winter.