Harry Maguire has endured intense criticism for the last 12 months but the 29-year-old was picked in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for this winter’s World Cup and is expected to play a leading role.
Maguire has been central to England’s plans for the last five years and has been one of the first names on Southgate’s teamsheets for the last two tournaments.
Going into this tournament, his place in the side is far less secure, however. Manchester City star John Stones, who partnered Maguire in the 2018 World Cup and last year’s European Championship, has now defended his international team-mate.
“When I look at Harry (Maguire), I see a partner,” Stones said, according to Goal. “Through all our experiences he’s had my back and I’ve had his. We’ve had so many games together, we’ve made a bond and a partnership together.
“We know what the other person is going to do and how we work best together. It clicks. Whatever team or whatever system Gareth decides, if it’s me and Harry we will use those bonds again.
“They are too strong to be broken by game time, form, whatever it is. That kind of goes out the window when these moments hit.”
England are favourites to win their group in the World Cup and will kick off their campaign next week as they face Iran in Qatar.
SN’s verdict…
Maguire’s form for United has been rightly criticised but he has hardly put a foot wrong for England when it has mattered. He was named in the Team of the Tournament for last year’s Euro’s despite missing the first two group games through injury.
The expectation is that Southgate will field a similar backline to the one that helped the Three Lions reach that final at Wembley, with Maguire and Stones to remain at the heart of it.
With his Old Trafford career hanging in the balance, Maguire is in desperate need of a good campaign for his country.
