Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire started a game for the first time this season on Saturday, playing 90 minutes for England in their 1-1 draw with Ukraine in the European Championship qualifiers.
The 30-year-old is out of favour under manager Erik ten Hag at the Old Trafford club and has only played 23 minutes for the Red Devils in 2023-24.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate caused a stir by including Maguire in the squad for the international games this month
However, while former Chelsea defender John Terry believes playing regularly at club level is important, he believes the Man United defender never lets England down, making him a key figure in the national team.
“I think it is important to play weekly at your club and take that form into the England set-up,” Terry told talkSPORT.
“Gareth has shown a huge amount of faith in Harry, and to be fair to him, every time he has put the England shirt on, he has never let us down and he has always performed.
“It is difficult to do that when you are not playing regularly, to keep that fitness and the sharpness there.
“So, fair play to him. He must be doing the right things in training well like I know he would be. That is why Gareth gets paid to make those big decisions.”
The Red Devils were willing to sell Maguire to West Ham United during the summer transfer window, accepting a £30 million bid from the Hammers for the former Leicester City star.
However, he was not keen on leaving Man United after both parties failed to agree to terms of an exit and is now ready to force his way into the starting XI.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are the first-choice centre-backs at the Theatre of Dreams, with Victor Lindelof next to them in the pecking order.
Ten Hag also preferred to play left-back Luke Shaw ahead of Maguire last term, but the England international remains an important player and the Dutchman was left with no choice but to throw him into action against Arsenal following injuries to other centre-backs.
It remains to be seen whether Maguire can force his way into the starting XI at Man United, but it appears Southgate will continue to pick him for England regardless of what happens at club level.
The Three Lions are expected to challenge for the Euro 2024 title and the manager has to pick his best players for the tournament.
Maguire will likely continue to be selected if he keeps impressing the national team coaches in training.
