Harry Maguire is England's weak link

Gareth Southgate must explore alternatives to safeguard the contentious defender from Manchester United.
Despite facing criticism, the 31-year-old continues to be the most dependable central defender for his country, and the manager must capitalize on his strengths.

England's 1-0 loss to Brazil served as a stark reality check amid the nation's optimism ahead of Euro 2024, highlighting that the Three Lions aren't quite the dominant force they appeared to be during qualifying.

On the positive side, England were missing two of their top attackers, and they are expected to be significantly stronger once Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka recover from their injuries ahead of the tournament.

However, the defeat also exposed England's defensive vulnerabilities, with Brazil's rapid forwards demonstrating how to exploit Gareth Southgate's team. Unlike the attacking issues, the defensive shortcomings are unlikely to be resolved solely by the return of injured players.

In this match, Harry Maguire's usual composure seemed to falter, revealing glimpses of the uncertain and vulnerable defender that Manchester United nearly parted ways with last summer. Maguire appeared uneasy throughout the game and was substituted midway through the second half.

The only silver lining for Maguire was that his replacement, Lewis Dunk, fared even worse and ended up committing the error that led to Brazil's only goal. Dunk's costly mistake underscored an uncomfortable reality: despite his shortcomings, Maguire remains England's preferred option at center-back, leaving Southgate with little alternative but to find ways to make it work.

Mugged by Raphinha

While Lewis Dunk bore the brunt of criticism for his costly mistake, Harry Maguire also had his share of shaky moments during the match. In one instance late in the first half, Maguire made a questionable decision to dribble backwards instead of clearing or moving the ball forward, allowing the opponent to dispossess him. Fortunately for Maguire, the resulting shot from the opponent went wide.

Earlier in the game, Maguire struggled to cope with the pace of the opposition's counter-attack, particularly against Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. Despite having time to adjust his positioning, Maguire couldn't keep up with Vinicius, although the latter's finish lacked power and was cleared by Kyle Walker before crossing the line.

Maguire did contribute positively in the attacking area, coming close with a header from a set-piece. However, he was not without fault, as England's defense conceded seven big chances according to Opta, the highest under Southgate's management.

Ben Chilwell also faced criticism for his wastefulness in possession and defensive vulnerabilities, while Kyle Walker, serving as captain in Harry Kane's absence, struggled against Vinicius and had to be substituted due to injury after clearing a shot off the line.

Still top choice

Walker and Maguire will both miss the match against Belgium due to returning to their clubs, but they need not worry as their understudies are unlikely to displace them in the team anytime soon.

Maguire's experience in three major tournaments, during which England performed admirably, sets him apart. Additionally, his strong partnership with John Stones, which has been consistent in each major tournament, further solidifies his position.

Given his impressive England track record, Maguire remains ahead of Jarrad Branthwaite, who is poised to make his international debut against Belgium, and Lewis Dunk, whose chances of making it to the Euros are uncertain following his problematic performance.
While Marc Guehi could have posed a challenge to Maguire, his lack of game time since February due to a knee surgery means he won't return until late April, diminishing his immediate threat.

AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori, another potential contender, was omitted from this round of fixtures due to a recent hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months.

Fighting for his place

Maguire now has over two months to focus on improving his game and regaining form after experiencing a series of injury setbacks. Despite initially facing uncertainties at Manchester United, including being transfer-listed and having a £30 million offer from West Ham accepted, Maguire managed to reclaim his place as Erik ten Hag's preferred defender over Raphael Varane while Lisandro Martinez was sidelined.

Recognized as the Premier League's Player of the Month for November, Maguire suffered a groin injury against Bayern Munich in December, sidelining him for over six weeks. Just as he was returning to form, he encountered another unspecified injury, further delaying his comeback by three weeks. He only made his return as a substitute against Liverpool.

In the recent Brazil game, Maguire made his first start in a month and had to contend with the blisteringly fast trio of Rodrygo, Raphinha, and Vinicius. Given the circumstances, it's perhaps unsurprising that he struggled.

Maguire excels as a defender when the game is under control and his team is in possession. However, he appears vulnerable when faced with chaotic situations and must defend against relentless transitions, repeatedly finding himself on the backfoot.

Southgate always an ally

Southgate has consistently defended Maguire in the face of criticism, going as far as describing the treatment he received after the friendly with Scotland in September as unprecedented. During his challenging times with Manchester United, Maguire found solace in his time with the England national team.

However, there's a risk of Maguire becoming a scapegoat at the international level if England fail to perform well in the European Championship. With the talent and experience within the squad, and a relatively straightforward group featuring Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia, England should aim for at least reaching the semi-finals.

If England win Group C and progress past the last-16 stage, they are likely to face either Spain or Italy in the quarter-finals, with a potential encounter against France or Germany in the semi-finals. This scenario could see Maguire facing Kylian Mbappe in Dortmund, a challenge that many may not expect him to overcome.

England's best bet

Despite his lack of experience, Mainoo could represent the most effective path to an England team capable of controlling the tempo of games and preventing Maguire from being constantly exposed. Initially, Southgate hesitated to include Mainoo in the squad but eventually called him up following an outstanding performance against Liverpool.

Considering Southgate's tendency to rely on established players, it seems unlikely that he would start Mainoo in the Euro 2024 opener against Serbia. However, taking a gamble on Mainoo could paradoxically be the safest choice if it leads to a more balanced team that maximizes Maguire's strengths. Regardless of opinions on Maguire's abilities, he remains the best option at center-back, and ensuring his comfort could be England's most reliable path to success in Germany.