Can James Maddison Stake His Claim For a Regular England Place?

Leicester City are simply on a roll this season.

Ever since Brendan Rodgers entered the King Power, the club have enjoyed an incredible rise Leicester City have won 15 of their 25 league games under the former Liverpool and Celtic coach. The whole squad is playing with the confidence of a side staking a major claim for a shout at the Premier League title let alone the Champions League places.

Much of the credit must go to Brendan Rodgers for his side’s outstanding form, but his players certainly deserve a share of the glory. It may be Jamie Vardy carrying all the plaudits for his record in front of goal but James Maddison is a man who has been just as remarkable in Leicester’s rapid rise.

The attacking midfielder has received heat in the past for his apparent arrogance and overconfidence, but his performances as of late shows he can certainly walk the walk.

4 goals and 2 assists from 11 Premier League games highlights his significance in Brendan Rodgers’ setup. James Maddison has become the beating heart of a side playing scintillating football. The game against Arsenal at the weekend was proof of the giant strides that Rodgers is leading this team into, arguably toppling the heights of when the side that so famously lifted the Premier League trophy in 2016.

With particular additions of Youri Tielemans, Ben Chilwell, Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi and Caglar Soyuncu, this is a side that can truly match it with the best and James Maddison is at the centre of it all. Against Arsenal at the King Power, Maddison was at his sparkling best, scoring his sides second and showcasing a maturity in his game that has truly been admired since his move to the top-flight from Norwich City. The simple fact that he created the most chances out of any midfielder in the Premier League last season is a testament to his unique qualities.

No Premier League midfielder can better Maddison’s three shots per game this season, while he’s eighth in the league for key passes and 11th for dribbles per game. He’s also the fifth most-fouled player in English football’s top flight [WhoScored].

The way in which he took his goal against Arsenal was so measured and assured, he made it look easy. The shot is neither driven or curled, blasted nor shaped; it’s simply delivered where it needed to go with a minimum of fuss. Whatever you make of Maddison’s arrogance or overconfidence in himself, its these instances which tend to force his critics to swallow their own words.

As Rodgers has learned so quickly, its about finding the perfect balance between indulging such as an influential player and reminding him of his responsibilities elsewhere. As well as becoming Leicester’s focal point in midfield, Maddison has also been tasked with pressing when needed and even sacrificing his duties in the final third to drop deep and orchestrate the play in front of the opposition midfield as well as beyond it.

Getting the fans off their seats is an important role in an attacking midfielder, and Maddison certainly achieves that with great pride. He is the kind of player who seems empowered by his own confidence, as if the bigger the grin on his face, the greater the level to which he must elevate himself.

We know he can provide the spark at club level but can he do so on the international stage too?

Gareth Southgate has challenged Maddison to be ‘high performance, and low maintenance’. On the evidence of his displays in recent weeks, the England coach’s message has been received loud and clear. He has yet to feature for England as of yet and he is hoping his form will allow him the chance to prove his mettle in England’s forthcoming European qualification fixtures. Maybe even becoming a key figure for England when Euro 2020 kicks off next summer.

His decision to visit a Leicester casino, after leaving the squad due to illness, in order to watch the 2-1 defeat to Czech Republic last month was a distraction Southgate could have done without. It certainly didn’t help Maddison’s case taking that controversial decision, but now the midfielder may just be handed an opportunity to redeem himself and most significantly stake his claim for a permanent place in Southgate’s exciting England team.

James Maddison is certainly up against it though, with the likes of Ross Barkley, Mason Mount and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all vying for his role in the attacking midfield department.

Southgate will be expected to overhaul his midfield for the final two games with England only needing a point to guarantee qualification to next years European Championship.

It’s all well and good performing for your club on a weekly basis, but when on international grounds, you’re on a much higher and grander platform to perform and it is a task that lies in wait for the hugely talented James Maddison.

Maddison’s has become one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League over the past year but can he maintain that spark and work ethic to become the wonderful player he has been earmarked to be? Can he now replicate that form at international level? He may just be the creative spark England so desperately need.