I thought: Southgate shares his honest opinion on James Maddison’s cameo display for England
Gareth Southgate has shared his assessment of James Maddison’s performance for England during last night’s match, offering his honest opinion on the Tottenham Hotspur star’s cameo display.
Despite featuring for just 17 minutes across two recent friendlies for England, Maddison made the most of his limited playing time.
Initially benched in the 1-0 loss to Brazil, Maddison was overlooked again as Kobbie Mainoo got the nod over the Tottenham midfielder in the subsequent match.
However, Maddison seized his final opportunity to impress ahead of the Euros when he replaced Mainoo in the 73rd minute of the latest fixture.
With England trailing 2-1, Maddison showcased his quality by delivering an assist with the outside of his boot, setting up Jude Bellingham for a straightforward finish, thus helping Southgate’s team avoid defeat.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS, Southgate commended Maddison for his impactful cameo appearance and the crucial assist he provided.
Reflecting on Maddison’s contribution, Southgate highlighted the positive impact the midfielder made when he entered the game.
Despite his notable performance, Maddison’s involvement with the England national team has been limited, earning only six caps despite his impressive performances in the Premier League.
Last night’s assist marked his first goal involvement for England, with his appearances mainly confined to roles on the left flank.
Southgate’s tactical preference for two deeper-lying midfielders, coupled with Bellingham’s success in an advanced position, presents a challenge for Maddison to secure a spot in the starting lineup.
While many fans advocate for Maddison to feature alongside Declan Rice and Bellingham in midfield, his recent lack of playing time underscores the competition for places in the England squad.
Despite his limited minutes, Maddison demonstrated his offensive capabilities last night and will be hopeful that his impactful cameo performance earns him a spot in the squad for the upcoming Euros this summer.
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