Is Maguire revival too little, too late for Tuchel's England?

From the stands on a tepid night for England last Friday, you could have been forgiven for thinking Harry Maguire had delivered the goods. 

The Manchester United defender, a three-tournament veteran for the Three Lions, earned a first cap under Thomas Tuchel versus Uruguay.

It marked the latest chapter in a revival act that speaks to the Yorkshireman's mental reserves, his ability to ride out the storm and return.

Since his return from injury at Old Trafford, coinciding with the installation of Michael Carrick as interim manager, he has been in superb form.

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An assured performance under the lights at Wembley Stadium, coupled with a half as captain, appeared to rubber-stamp his prospects too.

Not so fast, however. Speaking afterwards, Tuchel suggested that Maguire sits fifth at the very least among his World Cup centre-back shouts.

The German specifically namechecked Marc Guehi, John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Trevoh Chalobah as those higher in the pecking order.

So just what does this mean for Maguire's chances of figuring in North America this summer - and might his return be too little, too late?

The case for...

It always felt like something of a pipe dream for Maguire to find himself back among the England fold, something the star has addressed.

His last cap came in the brief reign of Lee Carsley, the effective sea change between the Gareth Southgate era and Tuchel's new guard.

A shoddy 2024-25 for United, coupled with a mix-and-match start to the current campaign, seemed to suggest he would be on the outside.

Fitness issues have ultimately been the biggest barrier to Maguire at international level. He missed out on Euro 2024 in part thanks to this.

Back at full health, and with a ruby-red run of form under his belt, it would have been bizarre if Tuchel had not taken a look at him this month.

With Stones struggling to string together minutes at Manchester City and apparent cracks elsewhere, there has clearly been a door left ajar.

Bar perhaps Guehi, Maguire is the form English centre-back in the Premier League, regularly tested and still impressively resilient to boot.

Throw in his leadership skills - Tuchel gave him the armband after all against Uruguay after Jordan Henderson's exit - and he speaks for himself.

...and the case against

Unfortunately for Maguire, despite his years of experience at tournament level, his late addition to the Tuchel cohort speaks to an uphill battle.

The German raised eyebrows with some early picks in his reign - Newcastle United defender Dan Burn among them - but has been broadly repaid.

It was perhaps telling that Tuchel did not namecheck the popular Magpie as one of the men ahead of Maguire in his World Cup plans right now.

That suggests that the pair could well be in competition for a nominal fifth-place slot behind Guehi, Stones, Konza and Chalobah in his thinking.

Maguire may have form, but Burn has Tuchel's ear. That alone may prove to be enough to ensure the former is left on the airport tarmac instead.

The boss has suggested there is room for his plans to change. Injuries will play a part. Chalobah - a man with just one cap - is currently sidelined.

Yet with only one game left to effectively audition - tonight's friendly with Japan - Maguire will know that time is running out for him to make the cut.

Whatever happens, his inclusion or exclusion come June is sure to stoke plenty of debate. The Three Lions best just hope they have him where they need him.

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