Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has suggested that Newcastle United transfer target James Maddison is ‘behind’ Jack Grealish for England, as he told Sky Sports Premier League (05/11/22 at 5:10 pm).
Gareth Southgate is due to name his England squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and former Premier League striker Hasselbaink doesn’t think James Maddison will be selected.
This is despite his outstanding form in the colours of Leicester City, not just last season, but during this current campaign also.
Last term, he netted 12 goals and supplied eight assists in the Premier League, whilst the 25-year-old already has six goals and four assists from 12 this term – that puts him top in terms of goal involvements for English players, aside from Harry Kane, since August 2021, as posted by Sky Sports.
That’s why teams like high-flying Newcastle United are willing to pay above the odds for the England World Cup hopeful – he has two-years left to run on his current Leicester contract.
Despite that, former Holland star Hasselbaink doesn’t think he will be selected, as he named Jack Grealish, who has seven goal contributions since August 2021, as one of a number of players ahead of him.
“That’s his problem,” said Hasselbaink. “If you look at him, what his position is and that’s an old fashioned number ten, in a free role.
“During the past couple of months, he has been getting back to his best form. For me, I don’t think he will go. I think it will be very difficult for him to get into that squad. There are a lot of players in front of him.
“We have got Grealish, Sterling, Bowen, Rashford and Foden. Where is he going to play? Where is he going to fit in? Even if he is on the bench. When is he going to get in?
“With an England squad, they don’t really play with an out-and-out number ten, so he would have to play out on the right or the left. I don’t think that’s his best position. I do like him. I do think that he creates a lot.
“But I think, in the England team, it’s another level. I think he is behind a lot of players, at the moment.”
MADDISON NEEDS TO BE ON THAT PLANE
Strangely enough, Maddison not being selected might suit a team like Newcastle in the transfer market because it means there will be fewer eyes on the player.
If the goalscoring midfielder were to get selected, and perform on the world’s biggest stage, then you can bet your bottom dollar, his stock will rise and more teams would be willing to put money on the table for him.
Either way, even if Southgate has so much attacking talent to pick from, Maddison deserves that plane ticket to the Middle East and a chance to shine in the land of footballing legends.
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