Maguire: The Sky's The Limit

Maguire played every single minute of the 2017/18 Premier League campaign for the Foxes before delivering a string of magnificent displays for his country in Russia.

With the 25-year-old centre back at the heart of Gareth Southgate's defence, the Three Lions reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals - matching their best-ever finish on foreign soil.

Four games into his second top flight season with the Club, City have six points, following a clean sheet against Wolverhampton Wanderers and his spectacular last-minute winner at Southampton.

With opposing fans now accustomed to hearing the Blue Army sing Maguire’s name up and down the country, the former Sheffield United and Hull City defender has thanked them for their backing.

“Ever since I walked through the door, the support they’ve shown me is unbelievable, they’ve really spurred me on,” he told LCFC TV upon signing his new deal.

“They helped me have a good season and the support that they showed me throughout the World Cup, I feel like I owe them a lot and I look forward to playing in front of them in the future.”

Like many within Claude Puel’s talented squad, Maguire feels an enormous sense of optimism for what the future could hold for a side who are exhibiting an exciting brand of football.

City started the new campaign with an admirable display at Manchester United before overcoming newly-promoted Wolves and Southampton in quick succession.

Maguire, who has started every league game so far, including last week's fixture against Liverpool, added: “It’s been a good start and I’m looking forward to getting more points on the board.

“We’ve got a good group of players here now and a great staff, a great team behind us, and I’m looking forward to the future.

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Maguire's last-minute goal at Southampton sparked jubilant scenes in the away end at St Mary's.

“The sky’s the limit. I don’t think we can set any targets. We’ve got such a young, ambitious squad and I think I read that the average age is the youngest in the Premier League.

“We’ve got numerous players in the [England] Under-21s, and I’m sure those three will progress and one day become full internationals.

“We are a really young squad, we’ve got people on long-term contracts now as well, so it’s looking good for the future and it’s something that we want to push on.”

Since joining the Club a year ago, Maguire’s stock has risen at a remarkable pace. This summer saw his reputation reach new heights with an outstanding personal performance in Russia.

Maguire became synonymous with England’s never-say-die attitude which enabled them to overcome Tunisia, Panama, Colombia and Sweden during an unforgettable World Cup.

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His 30th minute header against Sweden helped England reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990.

Reflecting on the summer, he added: “It was really nice, the support which the fans showed us over there was incredible.

“The fans who travelled over there, the noise which they made in all the stadiums… the videos on social media back home, it really spurred you on.

“It felt like we were united and people said it’s the first time in numerous years that we’ve come together as a country like that so it was nice.

“The support was unbelievable and hopefully we can continue that for the future now.”

While Maguire’s new deal is a testament to his loyalty to the Club, it is also a statement of Leicester City’s admiration for a player whose career has skyrocketed at King Power Stadium.

The Sheffield-born centre back credits City with a significant role in that, concluding: “Ever since I came to the Club, I’ve always reiterated how good they’ve been to me.

“They gave me an opportunity to play in the Premier League and built a great platform for me to go and perform at the World Cup so I thank them a lot.

“I owe them a lot and I’m looking forward to doing that in the future.”