Maddison's Leicester form is making him hard for Southgate to ignore
James Maddison’s eye-catching display in Leicester’s win over Fulham is the latest feather in the creative midfielder’s cap… and his stellar form is increasingly hard for England boss Gareth Southgate to ignore
- James Maddison supplied two assists in Leicester City’s 2-0 victory over Fulham
- The midfielder, 24, is in top form with nine goals and nine assists this season
- England boss Gareth Southgate may have to bring him back to the squad soon
James Maddison has received plenty of plaudits for his recent post-match interviews but the Leicester midfielder’s actions are speaking far louder than any words.
Maddison created both Leicester’s goals in the 2-0 win at Fulham last week, taking his tally to nine goals and nine assists this season. He has been involved in 12 goals – scoring six and making six – in his last 12 matches, and is playing some of the best football of his career.
The 24-year-old is making himself increasingly difficult for England manager Gareth Southgate to ignore, and enhanced his case with two superb assists – a pinpoint cross and a clever pass – as Leicester won 2-0 at Fulham last week.
Leicester City’s James Maddison is currently playing some of the best football of his career
Maddison (R), 24, assisted both goals in Leicester’s 2-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday night
There has been just one senior international appearance for Maddison, as a substitute in the 7-0 win over Montenegro at Wembley in November 2019.
England’s next fixtures are in March, a World Cup qualifying triple-header against San Marino, Albania and Poland. If he can maintain current form, Maddison deserves a place in Southgate’s squad and a chance to prove he can deliver on the international stage.
The extra pressure should not be a problem: Maddison craves being the man to score the vital goal or play the decisive pass. As he told Sportsmail in November, he is confident he would improve England.
‘I watch England now and I know there’s a gap for me,’ said Maddison. ‘I know I can go and make an impact on the international stage; it’s just about being patient.
But the creative midfielder has nine goals and nine assists this season, which is hard to ignore
‘I’ve had a taste and I want more. Look at Jack Grealish — before the Belgium game in November he had never made a competitive start, and then he was the best player on the pitch. It’s about taking that chance and I know I’m capable. Hopefully it will come around soon.’
Yes, there is plenty of competition for places in midfield, but Maddison’s numbers are hard to argue with. Twelve direct goal involvements – either a goal or an assist – in his last 12 matches, compared with 10 in the previous 43.
That underlines how quickly he is improving, but also how dedicated he is. Because of his eye-catching dress sense and haircuts, and flamboyant personality, Maddison has found himself unfairly labelled – a player who enjoys the glamour of top-flight football more than the graft. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Maddison is a football obsessive who is more likely to spend his evenings watching a Championship or European fixture than he is browsing fashion websites or playing computer games. When many of his team-mates have returned to the changing rooms, Maddison remains on the training pitches, practising set pieces. If he hadn’t been totally committed, would he really have made it from Coventry’s youth team to the Premier League, via Norwich and Aberdeen?
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers recognised this from the start and has largely ignored the noise around Maddison, urging him to improve his tactical understanding of the game rather than to change his personality. Maddison has repaid his manager in spades and is now as comfortable operating as a No8 as he is a No10.
If he can maintain current form, Maddison deserves a place in Gareth Southgate’s next squad
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers (L) said Maddison is a ‘top performer’ who is still learning
‘His personality has never changed,’ said Rodgers. ‘It’s great he gets the credit for being open and honest but he’s always been like that. Before, for some reason, he was deemed arrogant or cocky but he has just an inherent belief in his ability.
‘That’s OK because it gives him that belief to play with those qualities. He is still learning and in his early 20s and with another couple of years playing his football ID and nous will be even better.
‘At this moment you can see his is still a top performer in the most competitive league in the world.’
And with the European Championships on the horizon, Maddison would like nothing better than to show he can handle that stage, too. His time has surely come.
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