Gareth Southgate praises 'world-class' James Maddison | OneFootball

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Blaise Bourgeois·14 November 2019

Gareth Southgate praises 'world-class' James Maddison

Article image:Gareth Southgate praises 'world-class' James Maddison

James Maddison has been made to wait to earn his first England cap, having been called up on two previous occasions without stepping on the pitch.

The 22-year-old could finally make his Three Lions bow on Thursday when Gareth Southgate’s squad host Montenegro with a chance to clinch automatic qualification to Euro 2020 with a win.


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In his pre-match press conference, Southgate heaped the praise onto the Leicester attacker and confirmed that Maddison will have a big role to play going forward.

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“He’s a player of outstanding technical ability. He has an eye for an incisive pass, his set-play delivery is world class – absolutely top,” he said.

“With his club now he is in a position as a number eight that he’s really learning more and more about work off the ball.

“His club are pressing in the way we want to press, pretty much. I know Brendan has a focus on that.

Article image:Gareth Southgate praises 'world-class' James Maddison

“In those areas, work off the ball is as important as with it. Especially the higher level of opponents and tighter games.

“He’s developing well and he has a lot to offer us.”

Domestically, Maddison is off to a flyer, having scored six goals and added two assists so far in 13 games in all competitions.