THE French media have targeted Harry Maguire and labelled him the weak link in England’s side.
But they picked on the wrong man – because the stats show the centre-back has been in exceptional form at the World Cup.
France’s victory over Poland followed by England beating Senegal secured the mouthwatering quarter-final showdown next Saturday.
And it did not take long for the press across the Channel to up the ante by trash-talking “slow” Maguire.
L’Equipe, who went with the headline ‘God save OUR king’, wrote: “Harry Maguire’s slowness could prove detrimental to the England rear guard, which Gareth Southgate could strengthen by abandoning his 4-3-3 for a 3-4-3, as he does every time he faces the best teams.
“The face-off between Kylian Mbappe and Kyle Walker, who has just returned from a long groin injury that kept him away from the field for almost two months, will be key to unlocking the match.
“The Three Lions have often struggled against midfielders as skilled with the ball as Adrien Rabiot or Antoine Griezmann, but this time they may have their say thanks to Jude Bellingham, who has been a dominant box-to-box player in the tournament.”
Fellow French newspaper Sud Ouest declared France are “ready to eat a lion” at the Al Bayt Stadium.
But the figures tell an altogether different story regarding Maguire, whose selection was originally questioned but immediately justified by the Manchester United man.
He has been dominant in England’s four matches, conceding one goal when he was feeling unwell, thanks to a superb partnership with John Stones.
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At the other end, he has proved to be a handful in the attacking box once again – hitting the bar and assisting Bukayo Saka against Iran.
And the facts and figures only reinforce the exceptional performances.
Of the 215 defenders to play at the World Cup this year, Maguire is comfortably among the very best – and ranks high in all the key areas.
He is in the top 20 per cent of the large pool for tackles won (three), interceptions (three) and top ten per cent with his 14 clearances, eight of which are headed.
Going forward, it is even more impressive.
No defender has had more touches in the opposition box than Maguire’s 11, while he is also in the top five for shots (four) and successful passes (276).
