England's defender Harry Maguire reacts on the pitch after the friendly International football match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium, west London, on March 27, 2026. The game finished 1-1. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE
Harry Maguire returned for England in their 1-1 draw with Uruguay on Friday (AFP via Getty)
Thomas Tuchel believes Manchester United’s Harry Maguire is behind four other defenders in the pecking order for England’s World Cup squad.
Maguire had not played for England since September 2024 before he returned to the squad this week and starting in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night.
The 33-year-old has impressed in United’s defence since Michael Carrick took over as manager at Old Trafford in January.
But Tuchel feels Manchester City duo Marc Guehi and John Stones, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah are all ahead of Maguire ahead of this summer’s tournament.
‘I got exactly what I thought, solid, solid central defender play,’ Tuchel said when asked about Maguire’s performance against Uruguay.
‘That’s what he does. Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and in the weapon for set-pieces.
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: John Stones of England speaks to Marc Guehi during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel says John Stones and Marc Guehi are both ‘ahead’ of Harry Maguire for England (Getty)
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‘I haven’t changed my mind but I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a different profile.
‘I see Ezri Konsa ahead, I see Marc Guehi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah on the level of mobility was slightly ahead of him.
‘Also John Stones, but he had injuries, so he needed to come to camp.
‘I needed to meet him in person to see how he acts within the group. It will be interesting now to see how he acts within the group. He will stay with us.
‘Like I said, he has an asset, of course, that he can also be super important in a tournament, in knockout football, in defending a lead and chasing a game with crosses and long throw-ins and set-pieces.’
Asked if Maguire would be in England’s World Cup squad if it was named now, Tuchel replied: ‘If, if, if. We don’t need to name the squad tomorrow. He did a good game.
‘He did what he does for Man United. He did it straight away. I’m very happy with him. To be honest, I haven’t changed my mind. I got everything I expected from him.
‘If I have to name it tomorrow, we have a lot of injuries, he could be in it. Who else would be there in the centre of defence?’
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