Gareth Southgate has set up his own “support line” to Harry Maguire in the build-up to the World Cup.
Southgate has made a point of being in touch on a regular basis with Maguire throughout his problems at Manchester United. And the England boss has even reassured Maguire that he would happily let him wear the armband if necessary as one of his trusted lieutenants on the pitch.
It underlines Southgate’s unwavering faith in Maguire and also suggests that he is in line to start England’s first game in Qatar against Iran next Monday. Maguire, 29, has started just one Premier League game in the last three months as he has fallen out of favour under new United boss Erik ten Hag.
England defender Maguire has won 48 caps, played a huge role in the 2018 World Cup when they reached the semi final and last year’s Euros when they suffered heartbreak in the final.
That has earned Southgate’s unerring faith as a huge part of his England team and has backed him publicly, insisting that his squad has a better chance of winning the World Cup with Maguire in the line-up.
But Southgate has gone out of his way to lift Maguire’s confidence and, while he does keep in contact with other England players, he has made regular calls and checks to ensure he feels valued.
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Maguire is already one of England’s most important players along with the likes of captain Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling.
They have been part of the leadership group and Southgate has made it clear to Maguire that he also values his qualities as a leader and would have no hesitation in giving him the armband if others were off the pitch.
Defence will be a key issue for England at the World Cup and it is clear that Southgate still regards Maguire as one of his kingpins for Qatar.
