Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: England, Football, James Maddison, Thomas Tuchel, Euro 2024, Tottenham Hotspur
Ben McCrum
Topics: England, Football, James Maddison, Thomas Tuchel, Euro 2024, Tottenham Hotspur
Cesc Fabregas has given Thomas Tuchel a clear sign of the one player that he should name in his first England squad.
After eight years, former England manager Gareth Southgate officially stepped down from his role in charge of the Three Lions following their defeat in the Euro 2024 final.
Several managers were reportedly considered to take on the role of England manager, but eventually it was handed to former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel back in October.
And, ahead of Tuchel naming the first England squad during his tenure as manager, former Arsenal and Chelsea legend Fabregas has made it clear which player he thinks should be among the first names on the teamsheet.
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Tuchel's first match as England manager gets underway on March 21 as the Three Lions play their first 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Albania.
Ahead of the game, Tuchel will need to decide on his first England squad, with the official announcement to come next week on March 13.
The German manager will face several tough decisions when picking his team for the qualifiers, one of which involves Tottenham Hotspur midifelder James Maddison.
While Maddison has often been a fringe player for England, Fabregas told the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast that the Spurs star has the personality “to make things happen” and is someone “you would always want in your team.”
“Straight away you could feel he’s got the confidence,” Fabregas said.
“He’s got the personality to demand the ball, to make things happen and to create situations. He’s good at dribbling, he is good at assisting and he can score goals. So he’s a really complete player in my opinion.
“He has a good understanding with Son and the strikers and for me, he’s a fantastic player to have.
“And as a coach, I’m sure that you need to adapt to the strengths of your players and the better quality they have, the easier it is. And definitely, he is one of them you would always want in your team.”
Despite playing in friendlies in the build up to the tournament, Maddison was not named in Southgate's squad for Euro 2024, with the former England boss claiming that he had decided to pick players who had enjoyed stronger seasons.
But a new face in the England dugout grants Maddison a second chance to stake his claim as an integral part of the England team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup in North America.