Erik ten Hag tried to sell the former Manchester United captain to West Ham in the summer because he was just a spare part.
Gary Lineker thinks that Harry Maguire’s inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s starting XIs is due to England’s lack of defensive choices and his experience.
Many fans and commentators have been perplexed by Southgate’s determination to keep choosing Maguire for the Three Lions squads despite the fact that he hasn’t played much for Manchester United. In the summer, Erik ten Hag made an effort to sell the center back to West Ham, but the deal fell through over pay.
Despite having the option to pair Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace with Fikayo Tomori, Lewis Dunk, or Levi Colwill on Saturday during the 1-1 draw with Ukraine. On The Rest is Football Podcast, Lineker explained why he was not as worried about the former captain of United making the team as some others may be.
“I don’t have a problem with Harry Maguire as such,” he added. “I know he hasn’t played much football, but he has been consistently good with England and we don’t have many center defenders. Southgate likely wanted a more seasoned player to play with him because he was playing Guehi. Maguire has consistently performed well for England, so I can see why he was chosen.
However, Lineker’s podcast partner Alan Shearer said Southgate’s approach might confuse some of the team’s younger players.
Shearer continued, “Those kids will be thinking, ‘What the hell, he is not even playing.'” They have every right to believe that, without a doubt.
Despite drawing with Ukraine, England is still on course to earn a spot in Germany for the upcoming summer’s European Championships. With four victories and a draw from their first five games, they are in first place in their qualifying group.
