England are gearing up for their 2022 FIFA World Cup opener, with the European giants taking on Iran in a match where the implications and narratives extend beyond the beautiful game. Nonetheless, one player remains in the spotlight ahead of this tie and that man is none other than Harry Maguire.
The Manchester United captain has become the Three Lions' most maligned player this year due to a number of poor performances for club and country, but mainly the Red Devils. Yet despite all of this, Southgate has stuck by the center-back and continues to start him against the backdrop of criticism.
In fact, the lineup for England's Qatar 2022 opener has already been leaked, with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka set to start on the right ahead of Manchester City prodigy Phil Foden. Additionally, as expected, Maguire is destined to partner John Stone from the get-go despite his lack of playing time at Old Trafford this season.
Speaking ahead of Monday's showdown with the Middle Eastern nation, Southgate launched one more passionate defense, backing Harry to perform well for the Three Lions and hailing him as a "strong leader" and a "fantastic footballer with the ball".
"Loyalty comes from performances over time - and knowing that to play for England is a different experience to any other," Gareth said, as per Goal.
"Players have to be able to handle that. The ones that have been here longer, we know they can do that. What are his strengths? Well, he's technically a fantastic footballer with the ball.
"He's a very strong leader in the team. His physical stature, the aerial challenge is one - we haven't got anybody else with that physical presence. And of course, there is the relationships with other players in the defense which are also part of your thinking when you're picking a team, because that understanding you don't have long to work on and the more those relationships are there over a period of time I think it is helpful."
There were cries for the Red Devils skipper to be dropped this game, having made only four appearances all season in the Premier League and losing all but one of the fixtures he started.
The former Leicester ace was usurped by summer signing Lisandro Martinez, who developed a brilliant partnership with 2018 World Cup winner Raphael Varane. Furthermore, in the three English top-flight games following the Frenchman's injury at Stamford Bridge, Maguire made only one start. Nonetheless, the world's most expensive defender gets the nod against Iran ahead of Eric Dier, Ben White, and Conor Coady.
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