Harry Maguire: England's humble World Cup hero on track for big-money move to United or Liverpool

Prior to the World Cup, there was a photo of Harry Maguire floating around social media that made every England fan smile.

It was taken before England’s dull 0-0 draw with Slovakia at Euro 2016, the game before that infamous defeat against Iceland – the night that started the unlikely revolution.

Whilst 11 of the current World Cup squad were in the squad for that tournament and 11 others probably watched the game elsewhere, Maguire was in the stadium.

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He was at the game with his close friends, including his brother, stood with the England fans, no doubt enjoying a few beers in the main square in St Etienne throughout the day and singing his heart out during the game.

Compare that photo to the one of him that adorned so many newspapers on Sunday and Monday morning, and you get an idea of just how Maguire’s life has changed in the past two years.

From unrecognisable to many England fans, to the nation’s newest cult hero.

It was his thumping header that gave England the lead against Sweden and set them on course to qualifying for a first World Cup semi-final since 1990 – three years before Maguire was born.

Harry Maguire celebrates his opening goal against Sweden

The Leicester defender has been one of the Three Lions’ standout performances and this was the moment he deserved, the moment he was able to show just how much playing for England means to him.

Two years ago, Maguire was a last-minute substitute in the play-off final as Hull City beat Sheffield Wednesday to secure promotion to the Premier League.

He played 29 times during the 2016/2017 season as Hull were relegated straight back down. Crucially, though, Marco Silva took a liking to Maguire and made him a regular in the second half of the season, even handing him the captaincy on two occasions.

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Leicester saw enough to splash £17m on him last summer – Spurs were also interested – and Maguire played every single minute of the Foxes’ Premier League campaign.

Early season displays meant his England debut came against Lithuania in October 2017 and he played 90 minutes against Germany and Brazil in November, before coming on as an 11th minute substitute against Holland in March.

England did not concede a goal in any of those games. In fact, they have only conceded three goals when Maguire has been on the pitch – eight starts and two substitute appearances.

Maguire has made himself undroppable, thanks to his defensive ability but also because he is the perfect player for Southgate’s preferred system.

Playing as part of the back three, Maguire needs to be comfortable bringing the ball out of defence and picking a pass.

That he is, even if he does misplace the odd pass and put England in trouble, which he has at times this tournament, he’ll recover and try it again five minutes later.

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Then there is his threat from set-pieces, something England have thrived on in Russia. He wants to get on the ball in both boxes and the only surprise is that he didn’t score his first England goal sooner.

Maguire’s performances on the pitch have been fantastic and he may well find himself in a team of the tournament if England do the unthinkable and go all the way – Southgate has had no issue comparing him to the world’s best centre-backs.

But it is his demeanour, his story and the fact that two years he was just like Joe Bloggs, supporting his country at a tournament, that make him so likeable.

This entire England squad have been taken into the hearts of the fans, yet Maguire seems to typify that more than anyone else.

The Sheffield United academy product will not be able to walk down a street in England without somebody recognising him now, yet you cannot imagine that will stop him heading to Wilkinsons or Robert Dyas to pick up the essentials.

That might be a sweeping generalisation, but that is a compliment; Maguire is the boy-next-door done good. The big-boned sportsman, who tried his hand at everything but found a home in football and grafted his way to the very top.

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The last England centre-back to emerge at a global tournament was Des Walker at Italia 90. He earned a move to Sampdoria on the back of it and never quite reached those levels again.

Maguire is now being linked with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, and if he did move, you can’t imagine much would faze him, or he’d let his performance levels drop.

He has had the sort of tournament that makes the very best take notice whilst maintaining his humble nature, and the 6ft4in Yorkshireman deserves everything he will get.