Czech Republic's Vydra marks Maguire as England's weak link

Matej Vydra considers Harry Maguire one of the more vulnerable parts of a susceptible England backline.

The Czech striker, who plies his trade for Burnley, revealed it was his club's game plan to target Leicester City's Maguire during their March 16 meeting. It worked, as Maguire clipped Johann Berg Gudmundsson's heels to earn the Premier League's earliest red card since 2015.

"(England's) attack is very strong. Defense, I don't say it's not strong as well, but it's not as strong as the attack," Vydra said ahead of the Czech Republic's match against the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium on Friday, according to Reuters.

"For example, Maguire. We talked about him at Burnley before we played against Leicester," he continued. "In some moments it seems he doesn't know what's happening behind him, that's why he got a red card after five minutes in the match against Burnley."

Maguire appears likely to start for his country Friday while first-choice center-half John Stones nurses an injury. Michael Keane or James Tarkowski could join the Foxes defender in Gareth Southgate's defense.

Vydra suggested the Czech Republic will adopt a hard-tackling, pressing game to unsettle England's possession-based approach.

"(England) like to hold the ball so we have to be close to them," he explained. "Don't be afraid to kick them three or four times - then they may change the plan and play one or two touches."