Maguire was subject to audible boos from the home crowd on Tuesday
As England walked off the pitch after a comfortable 3-0 win against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night, there was still a sour taste in the air at Wembley.
We should have been talking about the brilliance of Jude Bellingham, the creative spark of Raheem Sterling, the impressive squad depth Gareth Southgate has at his disposal, but once again, matters unrelated to performance became the talking point.
Amongst the players selected by Southgate to start was one of his most trusted individuals, Harry Maguire. Having sat out the first friendly against Switzerland, the centre-back lined up in his usual position and as he always does for England, delivered a solid display.
However his performance was marred by those in the crowd. From his name being read out in the line-up to taking a touch on the ball, he was harassed by a chorus of boos from sections of the fanbase.
https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1508913619718885380
Last summer, those very same England fans were singing the praises of Maguire as he played a fundamental role in the Three Lions' run to the final of the European Championships.
England squad rally together to support Maguire
https://twitter.com/HarryMaguire93/status/1509061217066921984
The round of post-match saw his teammates and coach rally around to show their support and appreciation for the 29-year-old, who is clearly well liked and well respected in the England camp.
During his post-match interview, Southgate slammed those that chose to jeer Maguire and said that it was an "absolute joke" while Jordan Henderson posted a message on social media in which he said without Maguire "the progress made at the last two tournaments would not have been possible."
https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1508930235886182406
Jack Grealish and Declan Rice also offered their support to their teammate with the Manchester City winger calling it "ridiculous" and Rice calling it a "total embarrassment" on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/_DeclanRice/status/1508946744868052997
Captain Harry Kane also released a statement on Wednesday condemning the boos that Maguire had to deal with. He tweeted: "
We’ve worked hard to rebuild our connection with England fans in the last few years so to hear
Harry Maguire booed at Wembley before kick off was just not right.
"The fact that he’s been brilliant on the pitch and given us all so many great memories makes it even harder to understand. He doesn’t deserve that reception. He’s got full support in the changing room and should have the same from every England fan."
https://twitter.com/HKane/status/1509074955937497090
Maguire may be struggling at club level, but he's never let England down
Maguire's struggles at club level have been well documented this season. From doubts around his suitability to captaincy to mistakes on the pitch, it's clearly had an effect on him. But, when he puts on that England shirt, it all seems to go away.
Southgate was the man who gave Maguire his England debut and ever since then, he has transformed into one of the most influential members of the squad. He offers a lot which other players cannot.
From experience to his ability to play out from the back, playing on the left hand side of the defensive pairing (something others are not so well equipped at) and his threat from set pieces, the list goes on.
It goes without saying that had United not signed him for £80m, the level of scrutiny wouldn't be there. With that price tag comes a magnifying glass, and punters desperate to pick up on any flaw Maguire has in his game, and tear it apart with warped analysis.
You'd also have to really dig deep to find a time when Maguire has genuinely put in a bad performance for England too. It's no coincidence that as Maguire's involvement in the side increased, England's performances improved.
From his memorable header against Sweden in the 2018 World Cup to his last-ditch defending at the Euros, Maguire has never let England down and without him, we wouldn't be talking about the Three Lions as one of the favourites to win the World Cup.
Maguire and England need your support more than ever
If you were one of those that booed Maguire at Wembley on Tuesday, why? What is it meant to achieve? Now more than ever, Maguire - and the whole squad - need the support of the fans.
For the first time in a long time there is genuine expectation that England will do well. In the last two tournaments it's been the consensus that Southgate's side have overachieved, but now there seems to be an element of pressure to perform.
Booing players isn't going to help that cause. Regardless of your opinions at club level, they all go out the window when it comes to international football. It's one of the rare occasions where you will see a whole nation truly united. Giving one of your best players grief is anything but unity, it's simply disgraceful.
There will be no doubts whatsoever that Maguire will be on the plane to Qatar in November and the idea of him not going is frankly ludicrous. Come November, or in fact anytime Maguire pulls on the England shirt, back him. Support him.
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