- Harry Maguire’s recent lack of playing time will not impact their connection with John Stones
- Maguire has not played since suffering the thigh injury in England’s draw with Germany
- Stones said that he sees a partner in Maguire
Harry Maguire’s recent lack of playing time will not impact their connection, according to England defender John Stones, as they prepare for the 2022 World Cup.
Stones and Maguire, a centre-back partnership, will compete in their third major competition together, following the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 Euro.
Since August, Maguire has only had one league start for Manchester United due to a thigh injury. Erik ten Hag preferred to combine Varane and Martnez instead of Maguire, who had previously lost his United position.
Maguire has not played since suffering the thigh injury in England’s draw with Germany in September.
Speaking to BBC Sports, Stones said that he sees a partner in Maguire when he looks at him. He said that Maguire had had his back throughout England trials, and he also had his.
Harry Maguire with John Stones. Photo by The Times
They developed a great playing bond after playing many games together. The duo understand each other well; thus, they are able to work effectively.
“When I look at Harry, I see a partner. Through all our experiences he’s had my back and I’ve had his,” noted Stones.
“We’ve had so many games together, we’ve made a bond and a partnership together. We know what the other person is going to do and how we work best together. It clicks.”
Maguire of United and Stones of Manchester City have teamed up 29 times, notably during England’s run to the 2018 World Cup semifinals and the Euro 2020 final.
Iran will be the first World Cup opponent for Gareth Southgate’s team on Monday, November 21.
Maguire, 29, has only played nine times for United this season, with five of those appearances coming in cup games. Despite being their captain, Maguire has fallen out of favour at the club.
Additionally, in 2022, he has received a number of boos from England supporters. However, Stones says that he is ready to deploy his football bonds with Maguire in whichever squad Southgate forms.
Prior to their World Cup start against Iran in Qatar, England’s 26-man team received their squad numbers. Gareth Southgate’s team is one of the favourites.
Harrry Maguire John Stones. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
As he attempts to lead England to victory at the World Cup, Harry Kane will don the No. 9 jersey for the country. Each of the 26 players in Gareth Southgate’s squad received their assigned tournament number, which they will wear when the Three Lions face Iran on November 21.
Compared to their last Euros performance last summer, England wants to improve. They had previously advanced to the round of four in the World Cup in Russia, and they are among the favourites to win in Qatar.
Despite not being in fantastic shape, Southgate’s team has a wide range of alternatives at their disposal, particularly in the final third, and they have been placed in the same group with Wales, Iran, and the USA.
Squad numbers frequently offer hints as to who the manager favours when making selections. Eight of the starting XI’s members sported a traditional 1 – 11 number on their backs in the Euros final last summer. Southgate will undoubtedly downplay its significance.
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