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 against 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 the 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 England reach the semi-final 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. John Stones is in and out at Manchester City, Ben White plays as a right back at Arsenal, so he is not accustomed to playing centre-half in an England shirt, while Conor Coady? Everton are having a soft time at the moment and Eric Dier has also not been in the best of form.
If he plays three at the back, there is no question Maguire is in. And he will go there having got minutes 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 United manager Erik Teg Hag, who sees him every day, still had faith to make him skipper. And Gareth Southgate will show the same faith.
When he jots down the name in his team, Maguire will be among the first five on that team sheet along with Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
You could argue that 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. And Harry Maguire would not be the only one with the spotlight on him.
As much as Gareth is a fantastic guy, anything less than a semi-final, then 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 they played an Italy side in the final who have not qualified for this World Cup.
Taking risks on a few players is good and with a 26-man squad, it allows you to select players on their way back after injury and to pick players like Kyle Walker with his pace. And James Maddison’s selection, with his form, offers something different because of his goals and assists.
Predominantly, England do not play with a No 10 but if they need to change the game, then Maddison is perfect from set pieces aswell.
