Gareth Southgate sent telling Harry Maguire message ahead of the World Cup
Despite losing his starting spot at Manchester United this season, Harry Maguire is still in the England camp, and John Stones is unconcerned about his Three Lions teammate.
At the World Cup, John Stones feels certain that he and England can rely on Harry Maguire since their friendship has grown to be “too strong to be broken.”
The two have played a crucial role during the Gareth Southgate era, helping the Three Lions reach the semifinals in Russia four years ago and then going one step further by finishing runners-up at the European Championship in 2021.
However, while Stones has put on some impressive displays for Manchester City this year, Maguire has had a more difficult time adjusting to life at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.
He has only started three Premier League games this season because of his inconsistent play, but he still retains Southgate’s trust.
Stones would prefer not to play alone in the opening match against Iran on Monday.
“I see a partner in Harry when I look at him. Throughout all of our experiences together, he has always had my back, and I have always had his,” he told the Press Association after taking part in a McDonald’s Fun Football session at the Trafford Centre.
“We’ve played so many games together that we’ve developed a bond and a working relationship. We are aware of one another’s intentions and our preferred methods of collaboration.
If Harry and I are on the team or using the system Gareth chooses, we’ll use those relationships once more. They are too resilient to be damaged by lack of playing time, bad form, or anything else.
Harry is an excellent player; it takes talent to reach his level. The difficulties he has faced and is still facing in some ways demonstrate his spirit of never giving up.
Stones is one of five City players on the 26-man roster that departs on Tuesday.
Walker has been out with a groin issue for almost six weeks, and Phillips has just finished an expedited recovery following a shoulder procedure.
Despite an originally grim prognosis, both made the cut, impressing Stones with their tenacity. To their credit, he remarked, “They’ve both been working really hard to make the tournament, and they still are.”
Stones had just surprised young spectators at a free coaching clinic in Manchester, where he could already see the effects of a tournament victory following the success of England’s Lionesses.
“As players, we take our job to motivate the next generation extremely seriously.” He remarked.
Leave a comment