Swansea City and Wales centre-back Joe Rodon has the potential to be as good as Harry Maguire, after being linked with a Manchester United transfer.
That is the verdict of former Wales international Nathan Blake, who has talked up Rodon's abilities as the 22-year-old finds himself on the radar of several Premier League clubs.
MEN Sport reported back in May that Swansea were braced for approaches for Rodon, who they price at around £20million. Centre-back is not a current transfer priority for United but they have shown an interest in the Welshman, who is learning under Ryan Giggs' tutelage for his national team.
Former Wolves and Cardiff striker Blake believes Rodon is ready for the top echelons of the game.
"I think he's a really talented boy," he told MEN Sport on Rodon. "He's got good game understanding, knowledge. I like him because he's always aggressive but knows how to play with that aggression. He never loses his head, gets a red card or anything like that.
"He's what you call a leader of men with that aggression, he leads by example. Good passer on the ball, young, reads the game, he's got all the attributes."
Blake then made the claim that Rodon could eclipse Maguire if handed the chance at Old Trafford. He believes Rodon and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could make up an exciting back line for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.
"You don't get a big move to sit on the bench, you get a big move to play," he warned, amid Rodon links to top clubs. "But I think Rodon has the potential to be a better player than Harry Maguire.
"Rodon to United right-sided centre-back with Wan-Bissaka outside him? I think that would be a fantastic little partnership."
