Harry Maguire must play before Euro 2020 knockout stages, says Gary Neville

Former England and Manchester United player Gary Neville said that Harry Maguire, who missed the opening game for England in Euro 2020, must get some play-time before the end of group stages. Maguire was out in the first game as he was recovering from an ankle injury that he suffered in early May. He also added that midfielder Declan Rice is undroppable for the team.

“I think what we saw against Croatia was Southgate’s reaction to what all of us were thinking pre-tournament; that their weakness is defence, and that they’re going to need to keep clean sheets if they’re going to win this tournament”, told Neville to Skysports. England won 1-0 over Croatia in the opening game of Euro 2020.

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“That double pivot, or the two midfield players in front of the back four, isn’t going to change, you can be absolutely sure of that”, said Neville. “The big question is whether Kieran Trippier will remain at left-back; there is no doubt that Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell will be better going forward attacking-wise, but it’s whether Southgate feels Trippier gives the defence that edge in aiming for the clean sheet, which is so important”.

“I feel Harry Kane is undroppable in this England team, but I’d put Declan Rice pretty much up there at the moment, he’s going to play every game”, said Neville. “If Harry Maguire can get back to a level, he will come back in”.

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Neville felt that if Maguire would not play for the team before the knockout stages, he would miss the entire tournament because his first game must not be in a knockout game.

In the first game against Croatia, England started with Kieran Trippier in the left-back position. Rice and Kalvin Phillips were the central midfielders who started the game.