Alan Shearer has warned Gareth Southgate that playing Harry Maguire at the World Cup would be a risk - with the the ex-England skipper naming his squad for the tournament.
Maguire, 29, is now the fourth-choice centre-back at Manchester United and has started only three Premier League games this season. He's also just recovered from a hamstring injury and made a costly blunder in England's 3-3 draw against Germany in September.
Although Shearer has included Maguire in his 26-player squad for the tournament in Qatar, he believes Three Lions boss Southgate should ditch his back three and play a back four. England's opening game is against Iran in Doha on Monday, November 21.
"It’s not just about questionable fitness - it’s about form, too... with Harry Maguire it’s form and a lack of game time - one start in the league for Manchester United since August," wrote Shearer in The Athletic.
Shearer added: "Maguire has barely been playing, while his performance in England’s 3-3 draw with Germany in the Nations League draw back in September hardly inspired confidence.
"Picking him in your starting XI would represent a huge gamble, but the problem is that Maguire is not an isolated example. There is a wider feeling of rustiness and insecurity. I suspect Gareth will go with three at the back. I wouldn’t; I’d go with four."
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Southgate is expected to announce his World Cup squad on Thursday and England fans are bracing themselves for one or two big decisions. One of the biggest talking points is James Maddison's inclusion, as the Leicester playmaker is in superb form for his club.
Maddison has scored six goals and provided four assists in the Premier League this season, and the likes of Gary Lineker believe he's an obvious pick. Yet the 25-year-old hasn't been included in any of Southgate's recent squads, with his only senior cap coming in 2019.
Despite this, Shearer thinks Southgate can't afford to ignore Maddison. He added: "We have some incredibly talented players there, but I’d definitely be taking Leicester City’s James Maddison, who is playing exceptionally well and my only debating point would be whether he starts or not - although there’s clearly something Gareth doesn’t fancy about him."
Shearer also believes Callum Wilson and Tammy Abraham should get the nod over Ivan Toney, and he wants to see James Ward-Prowse selected if Kalvin Phillips doesn't prove his fitness. The Manchester City midfielder is recovering from a shoulder injury.
Yet Shearer appreciates a lot can happen between now and England's tournament opener, as there is still one more round of Premier League fixtures to play. On possible late injuries, Shearer noted: "It doesn't feel fair... it's bonkers."
Alan Shearer's World Cup squad: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale; Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben White, Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, John Stones; Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, James Maddison, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, James Ward-Prowse; Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson, Tammy Abraham, Marcus Rashford.
