James Maddison had a reminder for Gareth Southgate on Monday night as he scored a brace and laid on an assist during Leicester’s 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest – and Alan Shearer praised the Newcastle and Tottenham target.
Having produced some stunning form for Leicester last season, including 20 goal involvements in 35 league games, Maddison continues to be overlooked by England. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old’s form continues to get better.
With Leicester still winless, Maddison took the game by the scruff of the neck to score twice. One, a deflected effort but the second, a gorgeous free-kick. He also got an assist, as Leicester finally picked up three points, beating Forest.
CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs said Tottenham and Newcastle wanted to sign Maddison in the summer. That interest may remain in the £60m star. Shearer included him in his TOTW, commenting: “Are you watching Gareth Southgate?!”
Newcastle and Tottenham target Maddison praised by Shearer
It is remarkable that Southgate continues to overlook the Leicester star. His incredible form last season convinced many he would be in the England camp to play the last four UEFA Nations League fixtures. He was left out.
Then, in the most-recent international break, there were calls for Maddison again. Ignored. With England’s next fixture being the World Cup opener against Iran, Southgate has to pick a 26-man squad. Those extra three spaces could help.
Surely, Southgate has to succumb to pressure and include Maddison. Whether he will or not remains to be seen, but it seems impossible to ignore. If Maddison keeps producing a goal involvement every game, surely he is on the plane.
Southgate does have a number of attacking stars – ones that he trusts. Mason Mount has been poor this season but he has Southgate’s trust. Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, too. It might be too late for Maddison.
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