Made in Sheffield: Maguire backing Vardy to shine for England

Harry Maguire had his heart in his mouth watching Harry Kane's recent injury scare '“ a moment of anxiety he believes was shared by everyone associated with England's World Cup campaign.
England's Harry Maguire.England's Harry Maguire.
England's Harry Maguire.

A fully fit Kane is arguably the first name on Gareth Southgate’s teamsheet for this summer’s tournament, a goalscorer of proven pedigree, few peers and plentiful admirers.

Without the Tottenham striker in Russia, England’s prospects when taking on the best teams on the planet would surely plummet, making his recent ankle problem all the more concerning.

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Leicester defender Maguire was not alone in crossing his fingers when Kane hit the deck against Bournemouth on March 11, sustaining an ankle problem that is expected to keep him sidelined for up to a month.

“When he went down I am sure every England fan, every member of the England staff, every player wanted him to get back up,” said former Sheffield United and Hull City defender Maguire.

“Harry Kane is probably the best striker in the world. He is scoring frequently, getting the Golden Boot in the Premier League last couple of seasons and is up there again.

“I wish him a quick recovery and I hope he comes back firing goals from now until the end of the season and hopefully he will take that form into the World Cup.

“Hopefully it is good news and it is a speedy recovery.”

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Maguire’s esteem for Kane is built not just around their time together on England camps but also personal experience of trying, and failing, to keep him under wraps.

“Harry came to the King Power (in November) and we kept him quiet for 60 minutes,” he recalled.

“We thought we had done a good job then all of a sudden, he puts one in the top corner from nowhere on a tight angle and the game was back on.”

The Foxes held on for the victory that day despite Kane’s best efforts, with Jamie Vardy on target in a 2-1 win.

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Vardy is likely to deputise for the Spurs striker in Friday’s Amsterdam friendly against Holland, with Maguire also poised for a fourth international cap.

Stand-in duties may be the best Vardy can hope for in the summer too, but the 25-year-old sees that as no slight against his club-mate, who he believes is more than capable of doing the job.

“Jamie is quick but he is an excellent finisher as well. I wouldn’t say it is disrespectful to compare him to Harry Kane,” he said.

“Me and Vards get on really well – we’re both Sheffield lads. We have a bit of banter all the time but in training it is a nightmare to play against him.

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“You have always got to be aware of him. When I played against him in Hull, especially at the King Power game at Leicester away, he caused us all kinds of problems that day.

“I am sure you could speak to a lot of defenders out there in the Premier League – they would not want to play against him week in, week out.”

Maguire takes great confidence from his England selection ahead of the likes of Gary Cahill, but there is no chance of the defender resting on his laurels ahead of the World Cup.

The Sheffield-born defender looks well placed to add to his three caps in the coming days and, remarkably, is the second most experienced out-and-out centre-back option selected in this 27-man squad

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Chelsea skipper Cahill has been overlooked for these friendlies a year on from wearing the England captain’s armband, while the likes of Chris Smalling and Michael Keane are out.

Asked if it was an extra compliment to be selected given who has been left out, Maguire said: “Yeah, definitely. They are good players, they have played a lot of games for England, there’s a reason why they’ve done that.

“They’ve had good experience so, like you say, it gives me great confidence that Gareth wants me, trusts me and wants me to be playing with the other players he’s selected as well. Fingers crossed that it carries on.”

Maguire feels in the best form of his career and is thankful for the staff at Leicester for helping him step up another level.

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The 25-year-old enjoys the pressure that comes with trying to impress Southgate and earning a place on the plane to Russia, but the defender still pinches himself.

“Every time I get the call it’s a special moment - a moment I’m really proud of,” Maguire said.

“That Thursday when the squad gets announced, I’m sat by my phone waiting for the text and it’s a special moment when it comes through.

“I’ve been here for the past few camps, I’m getting used to the surroundings, the staff, the players and it’s a special moment every time I get the call.”

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All players would love to go to a World Cup and Maguire is no different, with the defender not overly concerned by the diplomatic situation in Russia right now.

“No, I wouldn’t have any concerns (about my family going) at all,” he added. “It’s out of our control, our main objective is safety and security and it’s up to those to decide what’s happening to ensure that if we do go to the World Cup, which I’m sure we will do, that we will be safe and secure, and everyone will be raring to go.”

Mawson on England: Page 20