HE’S COMING HOME
Maguire’s incredible journey from League One and bin bags for his kit, to World Cup semis and snubbing Man Utd to stay with Leicester
HE arrived at the King Power Stadium 16 months ago, rescued from relegation with Hull.
He is the Leicester centrehalf who turned up to the England senior squad for the first time with his kit in two black bin bags. Tonight he will proudly walk out with the Three Lions at his home ground as a World Cup semi-finalist and the ink still drying on a new five-year contract. Harry Maguire has had Manchester United chasing him, Manchester City admiring him and the nation taking him to
their hearts over the summer. The 25-year-old, however, is happy, settled and still taking in the latest highs in his rollercoaster career.
Maguire said: “The last two years have been remarkable.
“I’ve been relegated at Hull but to make a World Cup squad and reach an FA Cup semi-final at Hull is something I am really proud of.”
Such was Maguire’s reliability in Russia, Jose Mourinho (right) placed him prominently on his shopping list during the summer.
The United boss reckoned without the financial power of Leicester’s owners which enabled them to reject the millions from Old Trafford and keep their star defender at the club.
“After the World Cup I came back and sat down with them and they reiterated exactly what they wanted to do,” said Maguire.
“They said that they wanted to applaud me for a great season and a successful World Cup with England. Now I’m just looking forward to a successful season.”
Asked whether he had been tempted by the prospect of Champions League football alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, he said: “No, I don’t think so.
“There was a little bit of interest but it was always in my mind to extend my contract.
“I have always wanted to play for this club. Now I am looking forward to the future.” Maguire has been joined by his uncapped Leicester mates Demarai Gray and Ben Chilwell from the Under-21s for tonight’s friendly against Switzerland.
The contest will be a celebration of the anti-racism group Kick It Out and their work in English football to combat racism over the past 25 years.
Maguire has been happy to lend his support and his profile to the organisation. He said: “I’ve been an ambassador for Kick It Out over the last few years and they have done a remarkable job.
“It’s great to acknowledge the 25-year anniversary, and all the squad will support that.”
His immediate focus, however, will be on arresting the poor run of form which has seen England lose three successive matches for the first time in 30 years. They have never lost four on the trot.
Spain struck twice on Saturday to set up that scenario while the Swiss come into the game on the back of a stunning 6-0 win over an admittedly poor Iceland side.
Architect of that victory was Xherdan Shaqiri, who featured in Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League win at the King Power at the beginning of the month.
Maguire is aiming to ensure he is not as influential this evening.
“As a defender we take pride in getting clean sheets,” he said.
“So to concede two goals in the last three England games is not what we want but we are working hard on the training pitch to try to stop that.
“On Saturday we felt we’d conceded two poor goals. It was an area where we were really strong at the World Cup and we lost a game from a set-play, so we’re disappointed with that.
“But we’ll work hard and hopefully we’ll improve.”