James Maddison has so far remain tight-lipped about being left out of the England squad – but has dropped a big hint about his feelings on the matter.
Gareth Southgate said: “He’s finished the season very well. He’s obviously scoring goals. We just feel very happy with the players who have been with us in that area of the pitch. He’s competing with Mount and Foden and those types in the role where he’s at his best. It’s like a couple of positions where there’s a lot of strength in depth. There will always be a debate about a player you don’t pick, but if you do that, you have to leave somebody out, and they would probably be equally or even more deserving.”
Gareth Southgate added: “He’s played very, very well with Leicester but he’s up against exceptional players in that area of the pitch. It’s as simple as that. It’s the same whenever we pick a right-back. We’re going to leave a very good player out, who in some people’s minds would get in ahead of some of the others. That debate will be tribal depending on which club you support. James has finished the season well. I just feel others are ahead of him at this time.”
Speaking after Sunday’s final game of the season against Southampton, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said Maddison could not do any more to earn an international recall.
Brendan Rodgers said: “He will be delighted with the season he has had. He has been absolutely brilliant. He is hungry since that difficult start for him. He has power and quality, he scores today and creates one. He’s not tense, he’s free. He is fit and is playing the games. He is doing the running and doing the work. We have other players who need to do more as well and impact the game more but he himself has been absolutely brilliant. He is strong defensively, has been aggressive and his football talent is there for everyone to see. Look at his numbers, he has been first class and been, by quite a distance, our best player.”
