It’s no good if I’m great on the ball but we let in three!
Leicester’s new £17m signing Harry Maguire on playing from the back . . . and dreaming of England
EVEN though Harry Maguire only crept on to England’s radar towards the end of last season after impressing for Hull, the centre back did go to France for Euro 2016.
Not to play, of course. Maguire went as a fan because of a real affection for his craft and his country. ‘I went with a few mates,’ he told Sportsmail. ‘England fans go in big numbers and are a credit to their country.
‘I went to the Slovakia game — a boring 0-0. I picked the worst one! I tried to keep a low profile but there were a few Hull and Sheffield United fans who spotted me and had pictures.’
Should Maguire pick up at Leicester where he left off at Hull, he may even be on the pitch at the World Cup finals in Russia next year.
‘Fingers crossed,’ he said. ‘First I need a good season for Leicester, performing week-in, week- out staying injury free. I’ll see where it takes me.’
A knee problem suffered in May’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that sealed Hull’s relegation ruled Maguire out of contention for England’s June internationals.
‘I haven’t had any contact from England personally but in the summer they spoke to my physio and asked about my injury,’ he said, ‘They knew I was unavailable.
‘I don’t know whether I would have been involved. To know they are taking me into consideration does give you confidence.’
Confidence is not something that seems lacking in 24- year- old Maguire, who stood out last season even as his side slipped into the Championship. So frequently did he feature on Match of the Day that his highlights reel almost became a regular segment.
Attention came not only because Maguire timed tackles so well but because he was also so composed in possession. At 6ft 2in tall he was a picture of power and poise as he brought the ball out of defence.
Marco Silva’s arrival as Hull boss and a switch to 3-4-3 suited Maguire. His intrepid display against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in January reso- nated widely, even as Hull lost 2-0.
Several clubs were interested in Maguire after Hull’s relegation, including Tottenham, but Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare convinced him to choose the King Power Stadium in a transfer potentially worth £17million. Maguire also knew it was important to play regularly in a World Cup year.
‘I wanted to play in the Premier League so my mind was set,’ said Maguire. ‘Spurs were interested but I wanted to go somewhere I felt I’d make an immediate impact. Leicester were the best option. You can only see them going up.’
Having enjoyed unimaginable title success with Wes Morgan and Robert Huth at centre back, Leicester now have a defender with different qualities. Injury to Huth opens the door for Maguire in tomorrow night’s Premier League curtain-raiser at Arsenal.
The seeds of Maguire’s style were sown back in his youth, where he played for years in midfield before John Pemberton, then head of Sheffield United’s academy, decided his first-team chances would be best served by dropping back.
‘I had a growth spurt when I was 15, I was never tall enough before that,’ he said. ‘Playing in midfield from the age of about eight is a big part of why I feel I can handle the ball well for a centre back.’
Not that Maguire values starting attacks above stopping them. He said: ‘First I see myself as a defender. If I keep a clean sheet I have had a good game. If we concede three and I am marvellous on the ball it is no good. You need the balance.’
Two experiences seem to have shaped Maguire’s approach. The first came in April 2011 on his Sheffield United debut at 18.
Arriving as a second-half substitute, he made a thunderous challenge on Cardiff’s Craig Bellamy. ‘That settled me right in,’ Maguire chuckled. ‘He came over after and said, “Great tackle”. I expected him to give me an earful.’
Then the next month Sheffield United met Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup final and in front of 30,000 at Bramall Lane, Maguire coped well against a team boasting a certain Paul Pogba.
‘He was a lot bigger and stronger than everyone else,’ said Maguire. ‘When you’re younger you question yourself when you come across players of a higher calibre.’
The answer arrived in a creditable first-leg 2-2 draw before United won 4-1 at Old Trafford. Maguire faced Pogba four times last season for Hull, losing twice, winning once and gaining a 0-0 Premier League away draw. ‘I don’t know if he remembered me, we didn’t speak about it,’ he said.
Maguire eventually played more than 150 games for Sheffield United before leaving aged 21. Last summer’s story after winning promotion with Hull is well told. ‘ We started the season with only 10 fit outfield players,’ Maguire said. ‘ For a few games it is a honeymoon period but then it’s hard to find wins when you haven’t got squad depth.’
Maguire is settling in and enjoying talking Sheffield with Wednesday fan Jamie Vardy. Looking ahead, Maguire said: ‘The top half should be an aim but you never know, as Leicester proved two seasons ago.’
His initiation song came in Hong Kong. ‘ said Maguire. ‘It got the crowd going.’
For club and player, that seems an apt approach for the new season.
“Spurs were keen but I can make a big impact at Leicester”