Leicester City defender Harry Maguire has revealed Gareth Southgate is spending more time on England’s back-three than any other aspect of the team ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Maguire was part of England’s backline that kept a clean sheet against world champions Germany on Friday night despite a first-half injury to Phil Jones and would love to face Brazil at Wembley on Tuesday when Chelsea’s Gary Cahill is fit to return.
Southgate played alongside two central defenders with Aston Villa and England at Euro 96, and Maguire believes that personal experience from the manager has been invaluable.
Harry Maguire says Gareth Southgate devotes most of his time to England’s back-three
‘He’s working with the back three all the time. He probably looks at that more than any other position because that’s where he played,’ said Maguire. ‘He was a top centre-half himself so we’re always going to get great tips.
‘Playing three at the back enables the wide central defenders to step up and play because you’ve always got security behind you. The manager wants that. He wants us to join in and be brave on the ball, take it and try to control the game.
‘I felt we did that at times against Germany and things will get better with practice. Gareth Southgate was good on the ball in his day and he wants everyone to be a passing option. That’s part of being brave besides blocking and heading away clearances.’
The system should suit 24-year-old Maguire who is regarded as a good footballing centre-half and has impressed following his £14million move to Leicester after Hull were relegated last season.
Southgate is desperate to get his back line tuned before heading over to Russia next year
‘I’ve had a whirlwind of a year. It’s crazy,’ he reflects. ‘From the worst feeling – getting relegated from the Premier League, horrible – to signing for a great club like Leicester and then getting my first England call-up which topped everything off and probably the proudest moment of my life.
‘I’m here, and every time I’m here I’ll always give my best, 100 per cent and always work as hard as I can for the team.’
Maguire doesn’t mind he and the other newcomers into the England set-up this season are enjoying putting pressure on more established players for prized places on the plane to Russia next summer.
‘Getting picked for England gives you a lot of confidence. It shows the manager gives you great trust,’ he said.
‘We’ve got a lot of players who are injured, who couldn’t make it this time. I’ m sure they’ll come in during the next few camps. But the boys who are playing at the moment are trying our best to give the manager a headache when it comes to the World Cup selection.
Maguire is one of several defenders who have been given a Three Lions chance by Southgate
‘I think you’ve seen that with all the debutants. Jordan Pickford pulled off two great saves; Ruben Loftus Cheek was man of the match. He was the best player on the pitch, to be fair.
‘Joe Gomez came in as well and big Tammy, up top, had his chances. Maybe with a little bit more luck he could have scored. All the new boys who have come in added something different.
‘We go on the pitch, especially the boys who have one, two, or three caps, and we are trying to give the manager a headache. Hopefully we did that against Germany.’