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Ex-England star Danny Mills believes Gareth Southgate is right to stick with Harry Maguire and claims players like Ben White are not good enough for the Three Lions.
THE LOWDOWN: CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING ENGLAND SQUAD
Despite being dropped by Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag, Southgate decided to stick by Maguire. Not only did the United man get a place in the England squad, but he also started both Nations League games against Italy and Germany.
Unfortunately for Southgate and Maguire, it was a night to forget. Firstly, the defender gave away a penalty and was also the culprit, leading to Germany’s second goal in the 3-3 draw on Monday.
Maguire has been the mainstay of Southgate’s England side over the last few years and he was named in the Euro 2020 team of the tournament after leading the Three Lions to the final.
However, things have since taken a different turn, with Maguire coming under increasing scrutiny. After being dropped by Ten Hag after the first two games of the season, Maguire’s place in the England set-up was in doubt.
Jamie Carragher believes Southgate was correct to give Maguire a chance to impress once again. And Mills is also in agreement because he does not believe the potential replacements, like Arsenal’s Ben White, are good enough.
THE LATEST: WHITE NOT GOOD ENOUGH, SAYS MILLS
Mills told talkSPORT: “I think it’s really difficult in defence because there is a real lack of quality at centre-half.”
“It’s a big issue. Lack of experience and quality in there. Maguire has been there, seen it, done it in big tournaments.”
“[John] Stones picks up another injury. If he is not fit, you have to pick Eric Dier, because who else is there?”
“White isn’t good enough to play centre-back for Arsenal. Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi have six caps between them.”
He added: “You’re going into a major tournament. It’s not about playing scintillating football, it’s about not losing games.”
“England will get out of the group and then it’s about beating the big teams. You need players you know who have experience in that.”
“You can’t throw Tomori and Guehi into that.”
“Maguire hasn’t been playing so you need to give him game time. He missed a load of games leading up to the Euros and got into the team of the tournament.”
“Defensively, we are weak. A couple of injuries and we are in serious trouble. Maguire has to play because there aren’t the options.”
THE VERDICT: MISGUIDED COMMENTS
To start with, Ben White is only playing at right-back to accommodate for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who was injured at the start of the season. In his stead, William Saliba has impressed at centre-back and hence the decision from Arteta to stick with a winning team.
It is arguable that White is being overlooked at the moment because he is playing in an ‘unfamiliar’ role but saying he is not good enough for England, or behind Harry Maguire in the pecking order is rather laughable.
