John Stones and Harry Maguire typify the new-found England spirit under Gareth Southgate. While fierce rivals at club level, the two have forged an unbreakable bond on the international stage.
A lot of talk has surfaced in recent years about former Three Lions players refusing to leave their club loyalties at the door on England duty. The famous “golden generation” of the noughties featured superstars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
Tales of top-four rivals refusing to communicate at the dinner table are hardly conducive to a successful national team. Fast forward to the present and the mood around the camp has U-turned.
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Since picking England up from the doldrums in 2016, Southgate has created a club-like feel around St George’s Park. That is reflected by an upturn in form at major tournaments, with all eyes now on the World Cup in Qatar.
At the heart of England’s success has been Manchester duo Stones and Maguire. Both defenders have started for Southgate in all three of his competitions as manager.
Despite overwhelming outside noise to drop United captain Maguire, the 52-year-old stuck by his man. That faith has been repaid tenfold with three excellent performances - including a man-of-the-match display against the United States - on the biggest stage of all.
Long-standing defensive partner Stones, too, is just as happy to see his teammate rediscover the form that earned him an £85million move to Old Trafford in 2019.
He told the PA: “Right from the first game, the best response is what he’s (Maguire) been doing,” the Manchester City centre-back said. “All three games he’s played in have been terrific and it’s about us finding that partnership again. I think we have done (that) in these three games.
“That’s a great credit to him. I have spoken at length about Harry before and there were lots of questions I got asked. Playing with someone for so many games at England, being through so many moments with him, knowing what he’s been going through at his club as well and the person that he is, I think it speaks volumes about him to come through that and still believe in himself.
Stones also revealed how the rest of the England squad share his sentiments. A City player openly defending a United player is reflective of the mindset change within the Three Lions camp.
“I believe in him, like (how) all the team believes in him,” he added. “His teammates at United believe in him. I think there’s been a lot of noise from the outside which he has not listened to and tried to improve himself, better himself. He’s come into this tournament and hit the ground running, and that is a great credit to him.”
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