Gareth Southgate’s roster of players suffers slightly in the centre-back area but fear not.

Harry Maguire and John Stones have been a formidable partnership for England, and their sound performances in the last three games echo how well they suit each other.

The pair have also been companions at the heart of the defence for the previous two tournaments. Conversely, Harry Maguire entered this one with fewer minutes under his belt than he would have typically liked.

Harry Maguire has silenced the jeers he has received from England fans on more than one occasion this year. However, a thread of imposing performances now has fans backing the man formerly of Leicester.

Of course, it’s important to note that the attacking prowess they have faced so far has not been at the highest of levels, but the early embers of this major tournament have only shown promising signs from a defensive perspective.

Stones’ excellent sweeping ability and his calm nature on the ball make him the perfect partner for a player who wants to drive through the lines and pick out passes.

A poor England display against the US might have turned into a defeat if it wasn’t for the Yorkshire-born duo. Stones matched Maguire’s passing prowess, as expected, with a 97% pass accuracy.

What’s promising is John Stones’ belief in Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, despite his lack of minutes of late. Although divided at club level, their apparent chemistry elevates England’s defensive solidity and provides freedom for those in front of the defence.

As England advance to the knockout stages, Gareth Southgate may revert to a more reserved approach which may see another central defender join the two to make the pair a trio. Amongst those choices are Kyle Walker and Eric Dier.

One thing is for sure, though. John Stones and Harry Maguire are here to stay. Southgate has paired them up in 13 of England’s 16 major tournament games, where England has lost a mere two times. They must be doing something right.