Harry Maguire has openly admitted he is "desperate" to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for this summer's World Cup, backing himself to perform on the grandest stage. The Manchester United defender's resurgence at club level has perfectly timed his return to international football, earning his first call-up in 18 months during March.
Resurgence at the Right Time
A significant turnaround in fortunes with Manchester United saw Maguire feature in both of England's recent friendlies. He played the full 90 minutes against Uruguay and came on as a late substitute in the 1-0 loss to Japan. This marks a stark contrast to a challenging period in his career, where he made only seven England appearances since September 2023. That month, he experienced what he described as one of his lowest points, being mocked by Scotland fans after scoring an own goal at Hampden Park during a 3-1 England win.
Competition for a Spot
At 33 years old, Maguire is staking his claim for what would be his third World Cup appearance. However, manager Thomas Tuchel has indicated that Maguire remains behind Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones, and the injured Trevoh Chalobah in the defensive pecking order. Despite this, Maguire remains optimistic and determined.
"Of course, I'm desperate to go," Maguire stated. "I think it would be my last World Cup for my country. I've been to two, I missed out on the Euros two years ago through injury, which just hurt a lot really. So I'm desperate to go, whatever role the manager would want me for, whether that's starting or whether it's deciding games late on."
Confidence in His Abilities
Maguire expressed unwavering confidence in his skills, asserting, "I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don't think that's in question really. That can be really effective later on in games, whether you're holding on to a lead or trying to chase a game. I still think there's an important part that I can play, that I can help. If that's the case, I'm sure the manager will pick me if he believes the same. We'll see."
Proven Track Record in Major Tournaments
Maguire has a history of delivering in crucial matches for England. His first international goal came in a 2-0 win over Sweden in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup. At Euro 2020, he was named in the team of the tournament after standout performances against Germany and Ukraine. Even during a difficult period with Manchester United, his displays at the 2022 World Cup drew significant praise.
Reflecting on his career, Maguire added, "I do believe in my career, if you look through my career in the finals that I've played and the big games that I've been to, the bigger the games are, it seems like the better I do." This self-assurance underscores his determination to contribute to England's campaign this summer, as he aims to overcome competition and secure his spot in what could be his final World Cup appearance.
