Gary Neville Says Harry Maguire Would Be A Bigger Loss To England Than Harry Kane

Gary Neville says that Harry Maguire would be a bigger loss to England than Harry Kane if either were to miss this summer's Euros, as Gareth Southgate attempts to win the tournament.

Last week England played their final three competitive matches before they play Croatia on June 13th at Wembley in their opening Euro 2020 game, winning three World Cup qualifiers.

That milestone has led to talk of who will make Gareth Southgate's squad for the tournament this summer, with the Three Lions' boss having to make some big calls, especially in attacking positions.

On their Monday Night Football show, Neville and Jamie Carragher picked their squads and the former Manchester United defender was asked about the process of picking.

The 46-year-old explained that an injury to Maguire would be bigger than one to Kane because of the options Southgate has. "If you lose Harry Maguire that's a big problem for Gareth Southgate. I think it's his biggest problem," Neville said.

Maguire celebrates his winning goal against Poland last week. Image: PA Images

"If you're then left with John Stones as your other centre-back and you think you've got Stones and (Tyrone) Mings, Stones and [Conor] Coady, Stones and [Eric] Dier I'm not having it.

"Harry Kane's the best player in the squad but in this particular squad if Gareth wants a back-four in the squad and go for a 4-3-3 formation, the only chance of that is keeping Harry Maguire fit.

"You always have to think if one player gets injured where do I then go to. If Harry Kane gets injured you could go with Marcus Rashford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Raheem Sterling as a false forward or Phil Foden.

"There are options England can still win games. But with Maguire the ability to go to a back four is lost and that's why he's got a three in back of his mind."

On Monday, news broke that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice could miss the rest of the season and potentially even the Euros.

Neville went on to add the 22-year-old, who will miss the next four weeks following his injury picked up against Poland, would be the third biggest blow to the national team, adding, "I think Declan Rice being injured could be a problem. I'd go Maguire just because of the lack of depth behind him, Kane is the most important player.

"But the lack of depth behind Maguire as a dominant centre back is nil in my opinion. So Maguire, Kane then Rice are the key players you don't want to get injured.

"If Sterling gets injured that would be a blow but Rashford, Greenwood, Sancho, Foden, Grealish can play in that position."

Kane celebrates with Foden and Sterling after his opener. Image: PA Images

Sterling's relative lack of importance to the side, because of the options available behind him, was highlighted by the fact neither Neville or Carragher picked Jadon Sancho in their squads.

The Borussia Dortmund forward missed the recent World Cup qualifiers due to injury, and is set to miss the Champions League reunion with Manchester City, is considered one of the best talents in the world right now.

However with Sterling and Rashford also joined by Foden, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka and Jesse Lingard in impressing Southgate, the two Sky Sports pundits didn't pick the Dortmund forward.

Topics: Harry Maguire, Football, Euro 2020, Monday Night Football, England, Jadon Sancho, Gareth Southgate, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Harry Kane

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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