Why Maguire transfer experience is warning to Fofana
FT Desk
- 25 Aug 2022 20:15 BST
- 3 min read
As the transfer rumours surrounding Wesley Fofana and Chelsea continue to circulate, the Leicester City defender would be well-served in looking at the experience of a former Fox to see the grass is not always greener.
Like Fofana, Harry Maguire was a defensive star with a burgeoning reputation.
Having battled up from the depths of League One the Sheffield native gave Leicester two spectacular seasons, catching in the process, as Fofana has, the eye of some of the Premier League's biggest clubs.
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Manchester United won out in that case, paying a world-record £80 million fee to make the 26-year-old the game's most expensive defender in history.
That is the mark, reports suggest, that Chelsea will have to beat in order to get their man. The Blues and the player both wish to complete a deal, while Leicester stand firm; in the meantime, the first signs of frustration are beginning to show.
How else would one explain Brendan Rodgers' exasperated analysis of Fofana's behaviour when asked on Friday whether there were any similarities between the 21-year-old's situation and that which surrounded Maguire three summers ago.
Rogers irritated by Fofana absence
"No, that was totally different," the Leicester manager told reporters.
"I was aware over the course of the summer that there was a possibility that could happen.
"And I think in fairness to Harry, I've always said this before and I'll repeat, in terms of his behaviour and his focus for the club, he was fantastic right until the last minute and he was with the team and with the squad, and then he moved on. So it is different.
"Obviously in a few of my seasons here we've obviously lost Ben Chilwell as well, but this unfortunately is just a little bit different."
Fofana did not play a single minute for Leicester in their last Premier League outing and will not this weekend either against suitors Chelsea, having been banished to the Under-23s while his future is resolved.
As Rodgers admits the situation is far from ideal, but it is easy to see how a 21-year-old promise may allow his head to be turned by such intense interest and become distracted.
The real danger lies elsewhere. Despite that fine attitude Maguire's United move has been rather less than a rousing success, and he looks set for an extended spell on the bench after losing his spot in Erik ten Hag's starting XI against Liverpool.
With big teams and huge transfer fees comes an equally great responsibility. Fofana will have to deal with the same pressure his Leicester predecessor carries, at one of the most demanding clubs in European football which has zero tolerance for failure.
