Gareth Southgate has revealed that James Maddison has been ‘outstanding’ in training and that the Spurs star has made him reconsider his team selection.
While Maddison had been one of the most consistent attacking midfielders in the Premier League over the last few years in what was, at times, a struggling Leicester City side, the 26-year-old has seemingly taken his game up another notch following his switch to Tottenham.
The midfielder is now thriving as a result of being surrounded by better players and the early indications are that he suits Ange Postecoglou’s system down to a tee.
VALLETTA, MALTA – JUNE 16: James Maddison of England in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between Malta and England at Ta’ Qali Stadium on June 16, 2023 in Valletta, Malta. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, Maddison was one of the players nominated for August’s Player of the Month award and he got the nod to start for England in their 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Saturday.
The Tottenham man would be hoping that he has done enough to keep his place in the side for the Three Lions’ clash against Scotland this evening, with Southgate’s latest words certainly suggesting that he might have done so.
Southgate is a big fan of Spurs’ James Maddison
The England boss told Channel 4 Sport (as relayed by TBR Football) about Maddison: “He gives us a slightly different profile of player and that allows us to get an extra body into midfield.
“He has started the season exceptionally well and I have to say they’ve all trained well this week and he’s been outstanding. So, he made us look perhaps differently to where we might have been at the beginning of the week.”
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It was evident that Southgate tweaked his system just to accommodate Maddison into the eleven against Ukraine, with England operating with a three at the back in possession, with Walker tucking in as a right centre-back while shifting to back four while defending.
However, the system did not really work, which is why I would be surprised if he starts with the same team against Scotland. I expect Southgate to go with a 4-3-3 this evening, with Maddison starting alongside Bellingham and Rice in midfield.
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