World Cup 2018: 5 Players Whose Value Has Skyrocketed

Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire scores against Sweden

Affectionately known as “Slab Head” to some right now, Leicester City’s Harry Maguire has been one of the standout defenders of the World Cup. A big, strong centre-back who isn’t afraid to carry the ball out of defence, the former Sheffield United and Hull City man has all of the English Premier League’s big boys on notice.

Before the World Cup started, Maguire had already been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal, and his performances for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will only serve to increase his value and increase the interest in him.

Despite an initially uneasy start in the first game of the World Cup, Maguire went from strength-to-strength in each game, even popping up with the opening goal in the last 16 match against Sweden.

At 25, Maguire is at the perfect age to move to one of European football’s biggest clubs, and if that does indeed happen, Leicester City will be laughing all the way to the bank – even if it means losing another key figure so shortly after Riyad Mahrez’s move to Manchester City.

Maguire and England would eventually be bested by Croatia at the semi-final stage of the World Cup, with the 1966 World Cup winners eventually coming fourth overall after Belgium defeated them in the third-place playoff. For Maguire, the 2018 World Cup saw him rack up seven appearances, one goal, and one assist.