England Snub To James Maddison For World Cup Would Be Bordering On Insanity
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After the latest international break resulted in two points from four games, a lot has been said about Gareth Southgate’s selection ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
England severely lacked creativity and game changers as they produced a string of dismal performances that ended with an embarrassing 4-0 defeat by Hungary.
The numbers behind England's 4-0 defeat to Hungary. 📊 pic.twitter.com/lww0KyiJhj
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 15, 2022
Many wondered why Leicester City’s star man James Maddison was again overlooked by England boss Southgate. Despite Maddison producing some stellar performances in the 21/22 campaign.
25-year-old Maddison was the highest scoring English midfielder in the Premier League last season, the only midfielder to outscore him was Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne.
England looked very tired during the Nations League games last month and it would have been the perfect opportunity to sub on the Leicester live wire to pick up the pace.
But instead, Maddison was on his holiday soaking up the sun whilst his England team mates suffered the country's worst home defeat for 94 years.
🔢 James Maddison’s season
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 24, 2022
⚽️ 18 goals
🎯 12 assists
❌ No England call-up pic.twitter.com/ByuGAnIXi7
Maddison finished the season with four goals in four games, as a result he finished as the club’s top scorer ahead of legendary striker Jamie Vardy.
The midfielder scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists after a very consistent season which earned him the Player of the Year award at his club. Consistency that England are in desperate need of.
Despite his stellar performances, Maddison found himself out of Southgate’s latest squad of 27. The England boss has always been loyal to the players that has helped shape his tenure in charge, but that loyalty is beginning to turn into favouritism.
Southgate’s explanation for snubbing Maddison was that ‘others were ahead of him’ but the stats begs to differ.
Jack Grealish, City £100 million man only managed a mere three goals and three assists in a title winning side.
Mason Mount has scored less goals than Maddison and managed only two more assists despite playing in a team that finished third.
James Ward Prowse had less goals and assists compared to Maddison but was still selected by the England boss ahead of the Leicester man.
🏴 James Maddison has now scored more Premier League goals than Emile Smith Rowe (10) and as many as Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka this season (11)
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 20, 2022
👀 His last England call-up was in November 2019 pic.twitter.com/EU64lRtbTk
Maddison has outscored every midfielder in Southgate’s squad, and has more goals than some of England’s forwards.
With just two games left for Southgate before the World Cup, it would be bonkers to not give Maddison a chance to impress, it is the least that he deserves.
The pressure will be on Southgate to deliver silverware with the talent that he has at his disposal, after finishing fourth, third and second in three major tournaments, will England finally go one step further and bring football home at the 2022 Qatar World Cup?
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Football, Leicester City, James Maddison, England, Gareth Southgate, Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, Premier League, Football World Cup
