Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gareth will keep faith with dependable Harry... and so should the fans
WHEN Gareth Southgate names his team for England’s World Cup opener against Iran on Monday week, one thing is for certain – Harry Maguire will be in that starting XI.
Never mind that he has not been playing in the Premier League and never mind that he made mistakes in the 3-3 Nations League draw with Germany in September.
The manager has picked a squad with players who he believes in – and who have not let him down in the past at major tournaments.
And if we forget that Germany match, when his confidence was shot, has Maguire let England down? No.
He was one of the main players who helped them reach the semifinal in Russia four years ago and Southgate will still see him as part of the spine of his team.
Let’s look at the central defenders in the squad: Maguire, John Stones, Eric Dier, Ben White and
Conor Coady. Stones is in and out at Manchester City, White plays as a right-back at Arsenal, so is not accustomed to being centre-half in a Three Lions shirt, while Conor Coady? Everton are having a tough time at the moment.
Eric Dier has also not been in the best of form.
If Southgate plays three at the back, there is no question Maguire will be one of the trio. He got minutes under his belt for Manchester United in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa on Thursday night, where he was restored as captain.
He has had time away with injury, but Reds manager Erik Teg Hag, who sees him every day, still had faith to make him skipper.
Southgate will show same faith.
When he jots down his starting line-up, Maguire will be one of the first five names on that teamsheet along with Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
You could argue Maguire and Pickford’s form in an England shirt is better than when they play for their clubs.
And this might just be the time where Maguire rises to the occasion again.
He is a great character, brilliant around the training ground with the younger lads at
United, like my boy
Charlie, asking questions and helping them. And he has the sort of character where if he makes a mistake in that first game, it will not faze him. He is going to make loads more mistakes in his career. Harry Maguire would not be the only player with the spotlight on him.
As much as Gareth is a fantastic guy, anything less than a semi-final and his job is under pressure.
He needs an outstanding tournament. England missed such a big opportunity in the Euros. They were home for most of their games and played an Italy side in the final who have not qualified for this World Cup. Taking risks on a few players is good and a 26-man squad allows him to select those on their way back after injury and the likes of Kyle Walker with his pace. James Maddison’s selection, with his form, offers something different with his goals and assists. Predominantly, England do not play with a No.10 but if they need to change the game, Maddison is perfect from setpieces as well.