Brendan Rodgers
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has backed James Maddison to keep proving his England class as he chases a Three Lions recall. The 25-year-old starred and scored in Thursday’s 2-1 Europa Conference League quarter-final win away against PSV Eindhoven to earn the Foxes a last four clash with Roma. His strike in Eindhoven was his 14th goal of the season, his best return for Leicester, and Harry Kane and Tammy Abraham are the only Englishmen to score more than the attacker in all competitions this term. Maddison, who earned his only cap in November 2019, has spoken about his desire to force his way back into the England squad, with the World Cup at the end of the year.
Brendan Rodgers said: “All you can do is perform consistently well, work hard and be humble and keep proving a point. I think he has been consistent for a long period of time – his contribution to the game and his efficiency in terms of goals and his assists but also his pressing and his work. He can do no more (to get into the England squad). He is obviously playing at a very high level and contributing in big games. I thought he was wonderful in Eindhoven, especially in the second half, and in any team you are looking for efficiency. He is playing at a really high level, then it is just all about choice. He can’t do any more other than just stay consistent and focused. He is up there with his numbers and work-rate. The unfortunate thing for him is there are so many talented players in the positions he plays but he is certainly up there.”
