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Go for it Southgate – Leicester’s £20m star seems ready to make a mark on the international stage

Why it’s time for Leicester’s James Maddison to receive his England call-up

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison has made a wonderful start to life in the Premier League. The 21-year-old was signed for a fee of around £20million from Norwich City in the summer. The English midfielder has penned a five-year deal, which should essentially keep him at the King Power Stadium until 2023. (BBC)

Maddison has been one of the standout performers for the Foxes this season. Claude Puel’s men have looked good in the early stages of the season and have played a confident style of football. Maddison has been a part of almost everything so far.

Anything good that Leicester have produced has been through the former Norwich City star. According to the Telegraph, England manager Gareth Southgate will be keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old midfielder and could hand him his first start for the England national team.

Maddison has represented his country in the Under-21 category, making a total of 4 appearances so far but he is yet to link up with the senior squad and now seems like a good time to make the step up. England have missed an explosive central attacking midfielder to play behind the striker.

The 21-year-old plays with class and panache on the ball. He is often deployed as a central attacking midfielder but Maddison has also been fielded on the left-hand side of the attacking midfield by Claude Puel this season. The youngster is also comfortable playing on the right flank and is capable of functioning in a number of systems.

He is a classy player on the ball and his displays are a feast to the eyes. Maddison has made a total of 6 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist in that time. His supply has been crucial in the final third, with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho benefiting from his presence behind them. He has averaged a pass success rate of 84.5% in the league this season. (Stats Courtesy – Whoscored)

The former Norwich City midfielder is also on set-piece duties and is exceptional at it. He scored a free-kick in last week’s clash against Huddersfield Town, which underlines his importance in this Foxes team. Maddison is also a huge threat in the final third, with the midfielder averaging a total of 2.3 shots per game this season. (Stats Courtesy – Whoscored)

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There’s no doubt England manager Gareth Southgate should soon call up the youngster to the national team. He possesses a number of traits that many don’t in the current England setup. He will definitely serve as a focal point for the team and will only strengthen them even further.