England team news prediction for James Maddison as Tottenham star wows Sky Sports pundit
Tottenham ace James Maddison will probably get the chance to start for England in one of their upcoming friendly fixtures, Paul Robinson has said.
The attacking midfielder has flourished for Spurs this season is in the squad for the Three Lions’ fixtures against Brazil on Saturday (23 March) and Belgium on Tuesday (26 March).
The 27-year-old only has five caps to his name thus far but ex-England goalkeeper Robinson, now a prominent Sky Sports pundit, expects him to get the chance to showcase his abilities in at least one of the fixtures.
Robinson, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, thinks it will play into his hands more if Gareth Southgate opts to play with just one defensive midfielder in one of the games, though.
He said: “It’ll be interesting to see what Gareth does regarding his starting line-up because you look at the players he’s brought into that squad and there’s a lot of players making a case for the starting line-up.
“I think it’s going to be interesting the two friendlies coming up. There’s not many games left now before the tournament at the end of the season, so we might get to see what would be his starting XI now should everyone be available in the next couple of games.
“I think they’re going to be two really good tests the friendlies they’ve got but as far as Maddison goes absolutely there’s a case for him to start.
“I don’t think he’s ever found his Tottenham form in an England shirt. Whether he’s played in the same position or given the same freedom in a Tottenham shirt I’m not sure, I think Gareth gives the players more defensive responsibility, I think they have more defensive duties and I don’t think Maddison’s played as well for England as he has for Tottenham.
“But his Tottenham form absolutely it suggests he should have a start for England. I think he will in one of the two games, he’s got the opportunity the England manager to maybe have a look at how different midfield options work with the two holding midfielders we know that he prefers.
“It will be interesting to see if he goes away from that in the next two friendlies, which would obviously play into James Maddison’s hands and give him more of an opportunity to start the game.”
Will Tottenham ace James Maddison feature for England v Brazil or Belgium?
You would like to think that Robinson is right and that Maddison gets some good minutes in an England shirt over the next week or so.
Everyone knows that Southgate has his favourites and, thus far, Maddison has not yet been able to convince him he should be a favourite.
There is a wealth of attacking talent for England right now, but a player like Maddison can get the best out of those players.
There is no better opportunity than to take a look at home players can play against the best teams than in these two fixtures, so surely Maddison will get a decent crack at it.
In other Tottenham news, Ange Postecoglou must be patient with Radu Dragusin after what was said about him.
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