Why did England recall Maguire?

Although he has not played a single minute for Man Utd this season, central defender Harry Maguire is still highly regarded by coach Gareth Southgate for his experience and is called up to the England team to play in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

On August 31, Southgate announced the list of 26 England players preparing for the two Group C matches of the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Ukraine on September 9 and Scotland on September 12. The "Three Lions" are currently at the top of the group with 12 absolute points, six points ahead of Ukraine.

Of the names called, Maguire and Phillips caused the most controversy. Maguire lost his official position under coach Erik ten Hag and only started eight times in the Premier League in the 2022-2023 season. This season, the 30-year-old center-back was even stripped of the captain's armband and has not played a single minute.

Maguire warms up in a Premier League match of the new season, but he has not played a single minute in the first three rounds. Photo: Reuters — Maguire warms up in a Premier League match of the new season, but he has not played a single minute in the first three rounds. Photo: *Reuters*

Similarly, Phillips made just 12 substitute appearances in the Premier League last season and has yet to play a single minute this season. The 27-year-old midfielder has struggled to compete for a starting spot since joining Man City for $61 million in the summer of 2022, and was even dropped from the squad by coach Pep Guardiola for being overweight.

At the press conference announcing the 26-man squad, Southgate admitted that Maguire and Phillips are not in ideal conditions, but highly appreciated the experience of this duo. The 52-year-old coach said that England are lacking experienced options when Tyrone Mings is seriously injured, John Stones has been out since the beginning of the season, Eric Dier has not appeared in the Tottenham squad, and Conor Coady is also on the sidelines, even playing for Leicester in the Championship.

"We don't have many options with players who have played for the national team in recent years. For the next two games, it is important that England have experienced players in that area of the pitch," Southgate explained the decision to call up Maguire and Phillips.

Another controversial name is Jordan Henderson - the midfielder has moved to Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. But Southgate said he has watched Henderson play in Saudi Arabia and wants to see if the 33-year-old can play at the highest level.

Raheem Sterling - who has been in fine form for Chelsea - has been left out of the national team for the third time in a row. Southgate said Sterling had a good start to the season, but is happy with England's attack. He therefore did not want to shake things up by dropping a player to bring Sterling back.

England's squad this time still includes key players like Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Kyle Walker and Jude Bellingham. Southgate also gave a chance to Eddie Nketiah - the striker who scored two goals in Arsenal's opening match in the Premier League, and Levi Colwill - the central defender who is competing for a regular place at Chelsea and was a member of the England U21 team that won Euro 2023.

England squad list

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice.

Forwards: Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Eddie Nketiah, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Callum Wilson.

Hong Duy

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