England star John Stones has called Harry Maguire a ‘partner’ ahead of the World Cup. The Manchester City ace claims the Manchester United star’s lack of games will not be a factor.
Gareth Southgate has included Stones and Maguire in his England squad for the World Cup in Qatar this winter. The tournament marks the third major competition the defenders will have played at together. Southgate also took the pair to the last World Cup and Euro 2020.
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England reached the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup and the final for Euro 2020. Stones started all seven of the Three Lions’ fixtures in Russia and played all but 45 minutes. While Maguire started six ties and replaced Stones for the second-half of the last group stage tie.
Southgate continued to favour a backline pairing of Maguire, Stones and Kyle Walker in a three or four-man core during Euro 2020. They played one group stage fixture plus the last 16 tie, quarter-final, semi-final and the final together. Walker also started in each of the ties.
Across all competitions ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Stones and Maguire have played 28 times together for England. But while the former has played 11 of Manchester City’s 22 games this term, the latter has only featured in nine of Manchester United’s 21.
Erik ten Hag has also only started Maguire in five of the Red Devils’ fixtures, including one Premier League game since August. Stones has started all but two of his possible 10 top-flight games this term. He missed a month with a hamstring injury sustained in September.
Stones feels his ‘bond’ with Maguire for England is ‘too strong to be broken’
Stones suffered his injury whilst representing England during the Three Lions’ last fixtures before going to the World Cup. Southgate’s side start their Group B campaign against Iran on November 21. They will also face the United States on the 25th and Wales on the 29th.
If Southgate opts to continue trusting Maguire to deliver for England, Maguire is confident their bond will be untested. Even if Ten Hag often overlooks the defender for Manchester United despite being the captain. He does not feel form, or a lack of, can break their bond.
“When I look at Harry, I see a partner,” Stones said, via quotes by BBC Sport. “Through all our experiences he’s had my back and I’ve had his.
“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.
“Whatever team or whatever system Gareth decides, if it’s me and Harry we will use those bonds again. They are too strong to be broken by game time, form, whatever it is. That kind of goes out the window when these moments hit.”
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