When Spain met England at Wembley couple weeks back, a few aspects of their game will have been a real sight to behold for England coach Gareth Southgate. It was the wealth of talent and weaponry in new Spanish Coach Luis Enrique’s arsenal that would not only have had Southgate drooling but the whole English support sweating at some mesmerizing football they could only dream of.
Certainly, Southgate will have come up against some talented opposition during his short stint with England so far, but against Spain, Southgate would have wished he could just suck the talents out of the opposition and harness it within his own. Without a doubt, Southgate’s own pool such as Kane, Lingard, Alli, Rashford and Sterling can certainly mix it with the best but they are no match for what Spain have their own arsenal: Thiago, Koke, Asensio, Isco, Rodrigo, Busquests, Saul Niguez. These are household names that all have the tactical and technical acumen to mix with the World’s elite. More importantly, is all of these names are certain starters in the club’s first XI.
That’s what separates England and the rest. If you attempt to identify the youngsters in and around the top nations squads, you’d realize that most of those players are performing week-in-week-out for their respective clubs – a recurring issue Southgate is so desperately trying to address as he attempts to revamp and reshape the whole England set up. Players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marcus Rashford and John Stones – players who are progressively on their way to maximizing their potential. However, the problem is at this moment in time, they are not guaranteed starters for their respective clubs.
Nonetheless, what’s really in need of a solution in Southgate’s system is the problem of creativity, only five of their 12 goals at this summers World Cup came from open play. Despite their heroics and inspired performances, you felt there was still that lack of quality and that cutting edge/thrust that would have made a telling difference. Against Croatia in that semi-final defeat, England needed someone of that quality and guile. Like players such as Thiago showed on that night at Wembley. A player renowned for his playmaking abilities, his forward-thinking style of play and the nous to pick the right pass at the right moment, dominating the whole spectacle as Spain – despite their failures this summer – showed once again why their class is permanent.
Gareth Southgate has highlighted since England’s return from the tournament the need to find the player or even playmaker that can conjure up something out of the ordinary. Someone in the image and ilk of Paul Gascoigne – someone who would take games by the scruff of the neck. Whether that comparison may be a stretch of the imagination, it is an aspect well worth dreaming of. Up until now, numerous names have been thrown into the hat; players like Phil Foden of Manchester City, Mason Mount at Derby, on loan from Chelsea, Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham and Jaden Sancho, former Manchester City youngster now plying his trade in the Bundesliga at Borussia Dortmund.
These are players who are on their way to fulfilling their potential if guided and coached in the right way. Though, if we’re being optimistic about which names should be considered, it is Leicester City’s James Maddison (discussed briefly by Paul Merson and Alan Smith in the above clip).
Signed from Norwich over the summer, the England Under-21s star enjoyed a fabulous season in the Championship last term scoring 15 goals and laying on eight assists. Maddison’s impressive form caught the eye of the England set-up joining up with the Under-21 in 2017, receiving a call up and making his debut against the Ukraine Under-21s. Not only did that cap off a brilliant season but he was rewarded with the Norwich Player of the Season gong.
Earning his stripes in League One with Coventry City – thrust in the deep end at the tender age of 17 – Maddison has quietly but efficiently worked his way up the ranks and showing that persistence does eventually pay off. Like players such as Harry Maguire, John Stones and Kyle Walker who have plied their trade through the lower leagues, James Maddison is looking to follow suit and make a name for himself on the biggest stage. It’s early days yet, but Maddison seems to have made a seamless and steady transition from the Championship after departing Norwich City for a fee of around £24million. With 2 goals and an assist already in all of the 5 Premier League games he’s featured in, Maddison has already started to set the King Power alight. It was his brilliant performance in the Premier League curtain raiser against Manchester United at Old Trafford that was the hallmark of what Southgate is trying to unlock in that creativity department. Maddison’s composure, movement and bravery on the ball in one of the grandest stadiums representing the giant and bold steps that Maddison has taken to get to this level.
Many players would have stuttered under such spotlight on their debuts but that wasn’t the case for Maddison as he was Leicester’s main source of creativity in an impressive team performance despite their 2-1 defeat. What’s more pleasing for Maddison is the fact that he has carried on that form until now, against Liverpool at the King Power he was again Leicester’s main attacking threat in another 2-1 defeat. Leicester may not have started the season as they would have liked but it is Maddison once again stealing the spotlight despite Leicester City’s struggles so far this season.
In the short clip shown above, Paul Merson and Alan Smith discussed whether Maddison is good enough to feature for England in the near future, drawing the conclusion that it may be too soon for the 21-year-old, probably needing more games under his belt at Leicester if he is to have a chance. Yes, he only made the step up from the Championship this summer and it may be a very bold one. However, Gareth Southgate may have to cast his net wider – Maddison may just be that creative link England are missing. No doubt about it, he is a tremendously gifted player. Brilliant with both feet, brave on the ball, his vision and passing abilities a rare commodity certainly for English midfielders in this day an age.
Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also wonderfully gifted players but none of them hold the composure and the true passing capabilities that can maybe unlock a tight defence. Maddison has shown on numerous occasions already so far this season that he may hold the key.
Paul Merson stated it may be too soon for Maddison, but was it too soon for Marco Asensio for Spain? What about when Mesut Ozil made his debut for Germany – he was rarely a known quantity until his call up to the squad. Gareth Southgate has stressed his desire and need to look for England’s next Gazza. Certainly, Phil Foden has been talked about a fair bit, but he is not getting regular game time at Manchester City while Maddison is. Why not take a gamble and opt for the Leicester City man? Maddison may not look as slick as Kevin De Bruyne, as quick and strong as Manchester United’s Paul Pogba or as silky as David Silva, but the former Norwich man has that deceptive yard of pace that allows him to ghost past players with ease. Not only that, but he has those capabilities of finding a telling pass or even dribbling towards goal himself. Very rarely did we see any of those traits during England’s heroics this summer.
Seen potentially as a direct replacement for the departed Riyad Mahrez, Maddison is already showing signs that his rapid step up to the Premier League may have been just the right one for him. The former Norwich man has shown that persistence and hard work pays off, now the question for him is whether he can maintain his current form and become the player that he has long been touted to be since his Coventry City days at the age of 17. 5 games into his Premier League career, Maddison is showing no signs of letting up. Gareth Southgate may just have to take that gamble.
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