James Maddison’s fine form in Tottenham Hotspur colours was rewarded with a start for England as they saw off Australia in an international friendly on Friday.
The Tottenham playmaker could argue that he has been the best player during these opening eight games of the Premier League season, with his new manager, Ange Postecoglou, picking up another Manager of the Month award.
But despite James Maddison being handed a start by Gareth Southgate, former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison thinks it was a ‘frustrating’ evening for the player, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (14/10/23 at 2:05 pm).
Playing in a number ten role, the £40 million signing (Sky Sports) wasn’t able to sing and dance like he has done on the domestic circuit this season.
Tottenham-supporting pundit Morrison noted how James Maddison would ‘pick the ball off Lewis Dunk’ when trying to make the ball talk, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins scoring the winning goal.
In the end, the 26-year-old played 76 minutes at Wembley, before he was replaced by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
James Maddison’s frustration
“You look at players like Maddison who was getting frustrated because he was dropping so deep,” said Morrison. “He was meant to play in that ten.
“Sometimes he was picking the ball off Dunk. Jack Grealish, an outstanding player, couldn’t get enough on the ball to cause problems.”
James Maddison to start against Italy?
From a friendly to a Euro 2024 qualifier for England against an Italy side who are in need of the points if they are to earn their ticket to Germany next summer.
Yes, Maddison didn’t impress against the Aussies. But it was a friendly game in a much-changed England side.
It would be interesting to see, with more on the line, how Maddison would fare if he had Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice behind him in midfield.
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